JAMES H. OSTERHAUS
1929-2021
James Hubert Osterhaus (Deacon Jim) March 28, 1929 January 6, 2021 Jim entered peacefully into eternal rest on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, respected businessman, and a beloved Deacon at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Barbara Regina (Dietrich) of 63 years, his parents, Theodore Joseph and Agnes Osterhaus, brothers, T.J. and Harold Osterhaus, and sisters, Jerry Russek and Sister Barbara Anne Osterhaus C.V.I.
He is survived by his seven children, James T. Osterhaus, Regina (Rae) Smith, Glenn Osterhaus, and wife Kathleen, Denise Osterhaus, Duane Osterhaus, and wife Jan, Karen Heeth, and husband Charles, Charles (Chuck) Osterhaus and wife Michelle. He is also survived by his two sisters; Helen Matula and Agnes McGray, as well as his sister-in-law Mary Ellen (Dietrich) Yargo and Marilyn (Salerno) Dietrich.
Jim was blessed with 20 grandchildren and 30 greatgrandchildren.
Jim was born on March 28th, 1929 in Fort Worth, Texas and raised in the Houston Heights. He attended All Saints Catholic Church where he sang in the church choir and eventually met the love of his life, Regina. After graduating from St. Thomas High School he joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, stationed at Wichita Falls, Texas as an Aircraft Electronics Instructor. While in the Air Force he married Regina and their eldest son Jim was born at the base.
They moved back to Houston, where he began work with Houston Lighting and Power while attending The University of Houston studying Electrical Engineering. After U of H, Jim joined Leeds and Northrup, where he worked as a Service Technician and Salesman for 19 years. Then in 1976 with humble beginnings, working out of his garage, he built a thriving instrument services business, Thermo-Temp Instruments.
Jim felt a strong calling to enter the seminary and serve the church as a Deacon. After completing six years at St. Mary’s Seminary, he was ordained by Bishop John Morkovsky, as a Permanent Deacon in the First Graduation Class of the Roman Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston. Deacon Jim would go on to receive his Master of Theology degree from the University of St. Thomas. He ministered for 40 years at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, St. John Neuman Catholic Church, and Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, where he continued to serve his church community for six more years after retiring and would minister to anyone who would listen and to pray for others.
Throughout his Diaconate Ministry, Deacon Jim brought the Holy Sacraments with his faith, love, and compassion to many in the community, with a focus on Hospital and Nursing Home Ministry. He officiated numerous Baptisms and Marriage Ceremonies including some of his children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren and numerous Graveside Burials for the community that he served. Deacon Jim was instrumental in developing, organizing, and implementing the Grief Share Program at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church. Through the leadership of the church community it has helped and continues to help many families through their grief with the loss of their loved ones. Deacon Jim also started and led the Baptism Ministry Classes and the PreMarriage Class program at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus all his adult life and in 2017, he was nominated by his fellow Deacons to receive an Honorary Fourth Degree Knight position, the highest degree of the order, which he humbly accepted.
Deacon Jim had many hobbies that he enjoyed, including woodworking – he designed and built toys for his grandchildren, outdoor furniture for his wife, cabinets, desks, chairs and even built a canoe for family vacations. Jim was never far away from his cherished table saw in his garage. He equally loved taking long walks in the neighborhood park and playing his harmonica(s). Jim was also active with his sons in The Boy Scouts of America.
Jim was defined by his strong faith in God, his love for Family, a strong work ethic backed by perseverance, and love for his Country. He was humble and a man of action. While building a successful business and Ministering, he always found time for family. Among all his accomplishments in life, Jim excelled most in his role as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and brother. He was a monumental figure in the lives of his family, friends, church and though his passing leaves a tremendous hole in the lives of his loved ones, his love and legacy will inhabit their hearts forever.
A Viewing is scheduled from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at Klein Funeral Home, 9719 Wortham Blvd., Houston, TX 77065. Visitation with the family is scheduled from 5:00 pm – 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 21st, 2021 at Christ, the Redeemer Catholic Community with a Viigil Service & Rosary from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Rite of Christian Burial will be recited at 11:00 a.m on Friday, January 22nd, 2021 also at Christ the Redeemer. A private interment will follow the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Deacon Jim Osterhaus Memorial Scholarship Fund at Christ the Redeemer Catholic School.