Rebecca Ann Ottinger (Becky)

Rebecca Ann Ottinger (Becky), 76, of Raymore, Missouri passed away on August 9th, 2023 surrounded by family. Becky was born on March 11, 1947 in Kansas City, Kansas, to George and Maurine Lashbrook. She is survived by her husband, James (Jim) Ottinger, her children, Sarah Oliver and Josh Oliver, stepdaughters Jamie Case, Jackie Stagner, Jessie Savastino, Joy Keeling, her brother, Lynn Lashbrook, 14 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents and brothers Damon Lashbrook, Lowell Lashbrook, and Roy Lashbrook.

How do you condense an extraordinary life into a few paragraphs? Becky grew up in Kansas City, KS, graduating from Wyandotte High School, continued her education at the University of Kansas and completed her degree at the University of North Texas.

After escaping a violent marriage, she was an elementary school teacher in the 1980s, often working one or even two more jobs to make ends meet. When her son was given the diagnosis of Tourette, Becky didn’t blink an eye. She jumped in with both feet, learning everything she could. She would make sure her son thrived.

Becky and Jim knew each other for many years while raising their children in the same church and after a whirlwind courtship, they married in August 1989. They truly believed they were meant to be together and their love only strengthened over the years. He understood her passion to help others and encouraged her to follow her heart. Soon she found herself working with other families living with Tourette, advocating for children at schools, educating others on how to help these kids find success. When she found out about the Rotary Youth Campground in Lee’s Summit, MO, she even started an annual summer camp.

In 1996, she founded Joshua Center for Neurological Disorders, a Kansas City nonprofit organization that works with children, adults, and families living with Tourette, Autism, ADHD, OCD and more. She believed with all her heart that it was her mission to give families a place to turn for help. No matter who called, no matter what someone was going through, she was there for them. She worked with schools, counselors, doctors – anyone that wanted to help children. She was a fierce advocate for “her kids”.

To know Becky, was to know she loved Joshua Center Camp, saying, “Camp changes lives.” (She was right about that!) It didn’t matter the weather or where she was going, she always, always, always wore a camp shirt. And since camp had been held almost thirty years, she had a lot of them.

Becky made an impact on everyone she met and she never met a stranger. She said everyone had a purpose in life and truly saw value in every person. We were blessed to have her in our lives.

We will be holding a Celebration of Life on Sunday, September 10th from 2pm – 5pm at the Rotary Youth Campground located at 22310 NE Colbern Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086. Anyone is welcome. It will be casual- wear a camp shirt if you have one! There will be food and friendship and a chance to share memories.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Joshua Center for Neurological Disorders as it continues her mission. You can do that online at www.joshuacenter.com or you can mail to 1010 Carondelet Dr., Suite 120, Kansas City, MO 64114.