Karl was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was the son of English and German immigrants, and was the youngest of seven children. Karl’s mother, Floy, was the niece to Sir William Treloar, Lord Mayor of London. Karl went on to attend both Westminster College, where Sir Winston Churchill delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech in 1946, and UCLA. Karl served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, as paymaster. As a young man, Karl traveled the country negotiating oil pipeline sales between Standard Oil Company and Native American Indian Tribes.
Karl was very close to his family and worked with his brother, Louis Lothmann, who struck the largest uranium mine ever in the United States, as featured in Time Magazine of September 30, 1957.
Karl came to the Yuma valley in 1963 to begin developing citrus groves and had the incredible foresight to bring in Tangelo citrus trees to Wellton. After developing citrus for approximately 10yrs, he then developed the land at Interstate 8 and Ave 3E in Yuma as Lothmann Farms gourmet market and restaurant, Texaco gas station and Texaco truck stop. Karl eventually sold the land so that it could be developed into the present Holiday Inn Express and Candlewood Hotels, and continued working on numerous investments and land development, daily, up to the age of 87.
It was in Yuma, that Karl met the love of his life and soulmate, the very beautiful Terri Quinonez, He so adored her and their three daughters. He greatly enjoyed family gatherings and holidays. Karl will be so greatly missed but also so greatly remembered by them.
Karl is survived by his loving wife of over 52 years, Terri Lothmann, three daughters, Kimberly Havins, Pamela Harper, Karen Wilson, son-in-law, Todd Wilson, and a special nephew Randy Wolfe. He was “Grandfather” to Alexis, Kate, Connor, Grace, Gabrielle, Hannah and Hope.
The service will be held on Saturday, October 6th, 10am at Johnson Mortuary.
Any donations can be made to Hospice of Yuma.
