Delegate Charles James Otto, 61, of the Mt. Vernon area of Princess Anne, passed away at his home on Friday, October 17, 2025.
Born in Salisbury, MD on February 15, 1964, Charles was the beloved son of the late William Otto and Natalie Grace Wagner Otto. Raised in Mt. Vernon, he was a graduate of Washington High School’s class of 1982, attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and went on to earn his B.S. in Animal Science from Virginia Tech in 1986.
Charles dedicated his life to farming and public service. He worked as a farmer, certified crop specialist consultant, and sales representative for Farmers & Planters Co., Inc. since 1995. His commitment to agriculture was further demonstrated through his role as a Maryland State Farm Bureau field representative from 1987 to 1995. In 2010,
Charles was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, where he served with distinction, representing Somerset, Worcester and Wicomico counties over the years and holding the position of Deputy Minority Whip since 2013.
His passion for community service was evident through his numerous memberships and leadership roles including Treasurer of the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, President of the Wicomico County Farm Bureau, Past President and member of the Board of Directors of the Somerset County Farm Bureau, member of the American Society of Agronomy, Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc., member of the National Rifle Association, member, scholarship committee and past chair of business & professions committee of the Somerset Ruritan Club, Past President of the Maryland Grain Producers’ Association, Past chair of the Agri-Business Committee of Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Charter member of Mt. Vernon Volunteer Fire Department, member and Treasurer of John Wesley United Methodist Church of Mt. Vernon, Princess Anne, Maryland, member of the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of MD, and member of The Gideon’s International.
He received several agricultural awards including Excellence in Crop Advising Award by the American Society of Agronomy in 2008, and Medal of Achievement by the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. in 2016.
Charles will be remembered for his lifelong dedication to farming, his community, and his unwavering commitment to serving the people of Somerset County. His legacy of service and love for people will continue to inspire all who knew him.
He is survived by his brother, Bill Otto of Princess Anne; his sister, Vera Tyler and husband Danny of Crisfield; his nieces and nephews, Ryan West and wife McKenzie of Bethany Beach, DE, Christen Leigh Tyler of Rock Hill, SC, Carl William Tyler and wife Lindsay of Marion, and Charles Danny Tyler of Crisfield; great nieces and nephews, Danielle Burke, Owen Monroe, Carly Grace Tyler, and Kie Samuel Tyler; great-great niece, Leilani Littleton; and beloved cousins, Ruth Ann McGee and husband Rick of Pocomoke, Susan Gilbert and husband Quentin of Fredericksburg, VA, and Mary Lou Watson and husband Rick of Greer, SC.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 7-9PM at Hinman Funeral Home in Princess Anne. Funeral services, officiated by Rev. Stephen S. Willing, will take place on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 11 AM at the same location, followed by interment at Allen United Methodist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be sent to John Wesley United Methodist Church, c/o Mike McIntyre, 13358 Renshaw Road, Princess Anne, MD 21853; Mt. Vernon Volunteer Fire Department, 27440 Mt. Vernon Road, Princess Anne, MD 21853; or Somerset County Young Farmers Association, P.O. Box 882, Princess Anne, MD 21853.
