Axel Jorgen Bothager (affectionately known as “Bo” by many) went to be with the Lord on July 13, 2018. Born to Axel Vester Bothager, an immigrant of Denmark and a business man who owned Bothager Motor Company (Ford dealership) on 6th and Colorado and Mabel Clare Marshall on April 25, 1918 in Austin, Texas (at Brackenridge Hospital) where he lived all but nine years of his life.
As a young child Bo attended Bickler Elementary School K-1 grade and Pease Elementary 2nd and 3rd grade in Austin, TX. Bo and his family moved to Hearne, TX where he attended the “Old School” from 4 – 7th grades and then moved to “the New School” 8-11th grades and graduated from High School at Hearne. After graduation Bo attended The University of Texas at Austin where he took some general coursework.
Prior to Bo’s career at AT&T he worked as a bookkeeper and inspector for Red River Cotton Marketing Company, accountant for Tips Wholesale Hardware in Austin, Texas, and he was owner and a respected Landlord of the Southern Breeze Apartments on Enfield Road in Austin, TX. Bo retired from AT&T (formerly Southwestern Bell Telephone Company) and honored after 42 years of dedicated service as a Toll Tech Long Distance Specialist. Bo’s unique knowledge, expertise, and people skills were instrumental in AT&T’s transition to the computer age. Many in his field from all over the Country depended on, and requested Bo’s expertise and unique style of problem solving to resolve complex, escalated technical issues. Bo was also instrumental in helping minorities integrate in the Company with open arms during desegregation, and was loved by many of differing ethnic backgrounds. Three years of service with Southwestern Bell were at Fort Hood from 1942 – 1944. In 1945, Bo entered the Navy and served as Seaman 1st Class until WWII came to an end. Bo was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago during WWII while in the Navy.
Bo was married to Vera Mae Munn Bothager on November 15th, 1958 for 54 years until she passed away on September 6th, 2013. To their union they had one son, William Jorgen Bothager, whom he loved dearly and lost after his passing on April 11, 2011. Since the late 70’s, William’s childhood friend, Wesley Straw, became affectionately known as “Son #2” to both Bo and Vera.
Bo was Baptized as an infant and later Confirmed at age 12 at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin. During his marriage to Vera, Bo attended First Baptist Church with Vera, and later, Hyde Park Baptist Church with Vera and William in Austin. Two of his favorite verses of Scripture include Psalm 139 and Psalm 23.
Bo was widely known for his warm-hearted kindness, quick wit, and sharp mind. Bo was a great conversationalist and could share a memory of an event, an interesting story, or joke with precision detail and leave others with something very meaningful to think about. Bo always greeted with a direct look in the eyes and a warm smile. With other men, he always offered a firm hand shake and the ability to “talk shop”. He was a great listener, considerate, and a true gentleman to all.
Bo enjoyed visiting with Vera’s family at the Munn Farm located just outside Bertram, Texas and taking routine trips to the Shady Grove Community Potluck to enjoy “Socializing” with friends, neighbors in the community, and Munn family members. He could play a good game of 42 or Dominoes, share stories, and graciously volunteer his services (along with William and Wesley) to taste test the delicious meal and dessert recipes Vera made for the occasion.
Bo enjoyed travelling both locally and out of state with his family and was a long-time member of the StarCraft and Good Sam Travel Clubs. Some of his more memorable trips were taking the family travel trailer to Colorado, Tennessee and Florida. Bo enjoyed dancing; he and Vera (and later William) were active members of the Austin Square Dance Club.
Bo enjoyed walking with Vera and belonged to a walking group at Barton Creek Mall who called themselves “The Walkamoles”. At their Food Court rest stop, Bo would sit to socialize, enjoy some Chick-Fil-A, and “people watch”.
Bo was always very supportive of Vera in several of the volunteer and community leadership roles she partook in, including her role as President of the Old Bakery Emporium located on Congress Avenue. Bo was a faithful husband and father and gave of his time and resources to support his family and their efforts to serve their local Community.
Bo’s interests and hobbies also included learning about and tinkering with electronics and mechanics, and collecting unique gadgets and specialty tools. Bo was a licensed HAM radio operator and belonged to the Travis County HAM's Club.
Bo was preceded in death by his wife Vera Mae Munn Bothager, son William Jorgen Bothager and parents Axel Vester Bothager & Mabel Clare Marshall.
Bo is survived by his son Wesley Straw, wife Zaira, and three children, Abel, John and Jeremiah. The Munn family, including brother and sister-in-law, Mac and Marie Munn and their children, Ronald and Jan Munn and Brenda and Wayne Price, survive Bo’s passing along with their children and other descendants of the Munn family. Special mention goes to Bernice and Rollie Revering, long-time and loyal friends of Bo, Vera, and William.
A special thank you goes to Bobby Torres and the wonderful staff at Shady Hollow Assisted Living in Austin for all the loving and attentive care given to Bo during his remaining weeks of life here on earth. Contributions may be made to Hyde Park Baptist Church, Senior Adult Ministry.
Graveside service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, July 20, 2018 at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin, Texas 78731.
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