Cmdr Harry L. Botkin
November 3, 1935 ~ July 5, 2024
Cmdr Harry L. Botkin, U.S. Navy, Ret., of New Braunfels Texas, entered the Kingdom of God on July 5, 2024 at his home, surrounded by family, at the age of 88.
Harry was born November 3, 1935 in Bartlesville, OK to Ernest and Beatrice Botkin (nee Proctor). A musically gifted big brother to Ernest Jr., he attended the University of Tulsa where he met and married Anita Bertalot and entered the U.S. Navy for aviation training. His naval patrol career took them to San Diego, CA; Kwajalein Island, Republic of the Marshall Islands; Pensacola and Jacksonville, FL; Puerto Rico; Newport, RI; and Subic Bay/Cubi Point, the Philippines. Their children, Bradford and Tara experienced the world with them during this time.
Harry retired from the Navy in 1981, in San Diego. He worked real estate and flew corporate jets for a few years until moving to Austin, Texas in 1993, where he expanded his real estate holdings, before eventually moving to San Antonio, in 1996, and settling in New Braunfels in 1997. His daughter, Tara worked with him supporting his real estate holdings, concentrating on apartments and then mini-storages.
In 1999 he married Barbara Hughes and settled into commercial real estate. He was active in the Certified Commercial Investment Management (CCIM) community, the Texas Mini-Storage Association, New Braunfels Lions Club, Mid-Texas Symphony, and First United Methodist bell choir. He was active in his Christian faith at the First Baptist and First United Methodist Churches of New Braunfels.
He was blessed with and regularly visited with his grandchildren Joshua, Benjamin, Alexander, Chelsea, Michael, Christian, and Cadee, and great children Noah and Eli, Thyme, and Space. He regularly travelled with Barbara visiting relatives and historic sites both in the U.S. and Europe.
Harry was a sincere and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend who realized the beauty and fragility of life and tried to live it to its fullest. Active until his final few months, when an undiscovered cancer robbed him of breath and energy, Harry touched the lives of many and was an exemplary man.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church on San Antonio St, New Braunfels at 11 am, Monday, 15 July, with a private internment at the Fort Sam National Cemetery on 17 July.
Services
Memorial Service: Monday, July 15, 2024 11:00 am
First United Methodist Church
572 W. San Antonio St.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
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Harry was a life-saver for the MTS. I was on the board during those troubled times, and he was a miracle worker! Appreciated all he did!!!
He will be missed.
I am on the Mid-Texas Symphony Board and always enjoyed Harry’s friendly conversations. It was always a pleasure talking to him at the concerts. He will be missed.
Our condolences to the Botkin families, we will remember fondly and miss cousin Harry. He was a wonderful person to those who knew him.
Barbara,
CJ and I were so sorry to hear of Harry’s passing. Please accept our deepest condolences. We pray that you feel the love and support of those closest to you and the strength of God the Father during this difficult time.
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. My sister, Glenda, and I knew Harry from Rotary and were always impressed with his dedication and resourcefulness. We hope that in the days to come that feel empty and lonely, that you will find comfort in the number of people impacted by Harry’s good deeds and kind spirit.
On behalf of The New Braunfels Noon Lions Club, we would like to extend our deepest condolences for the loss of our beloved member Cmdr. Harry L. Botkin, U.S. Navy, Ret. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Botkin families. He was a wonderful person to those who knew him. We will miss him greatly.