Othal D. Vrana

Vrana, Othal Dean, born in rural Agenda, Kansas on January 24, 1923, died Saturday, April 21. Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Alice Vrana, and his sister, Valerie Jane Trizky, and his granddaughter, Angela Lynn. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Jean Vrana, four sons, Thomas (Susan), John (Linda), Charles (Rose) all of Wichita, James (Cynthia) of Windom, two sisters, Joyce Chavey of Queen Creek, AZ, and JoAnn L. Johnson of Wichita, 10 grandchildren, Lori, Rebecca, Paul, Valerie, Amanda, Joey, Adam, Tyler, Jenny and Jake, and 7 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Othals love and talent for radio communication began when he built his first ham radio at age 12 and continued through his lifetime. After graduating from Agenda High School in 1940, Othal attended Topeka Radio School and the Illinois Institute of Technology. He entered the Army in 1943, joined the Kansas Highway Patrol in 1945 as a radio engineer, and formed General Communications in 1947. As founder and owner of General Communications, Othal held many positions of leadership in the business community, and he received many accolades and awards during his career. The award that he considered the capstone of his career was his being named Fellow of the Radio Club of America in 1984, joining pioneers in the field of the radio communications. Also in 1984, Othal was honored at the White House as the Kansas Small Businessman of the Year. In addition to his work within his own business, Othal served the Wichita business community as director of both the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and the Wichita Business Promotion Club. Othal especially loved working for and serving Junior Achievement; for 44 years, he served as a board member, he was director emeritus, and last year he was honored by being named the first volunteer of the year of JA, an award that will now be given in his honor. His years of service to these three organizations embody his belief in the responsibility of Americans to give time and energy to public service and civic duty. Family and friends of Othals will remember his professional career and achievements, but what people will hold dear are the memories of a unique man, known for attending various racing events with sons and grandsons, traveling the U.S. with Betty in their motor coach, and racing his own sports cars at 80-years-old. Memorials have been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and West Heights United Methodist Church. Visitation with family, Tuesday evening at Downing Lahey West, 6:30-8:00. Service, Wednesday morning, 10:30 at West Heights United Methodist Church. Visitation with family, 6:30-8:00 P.M., Tuesday, April 24, Downing Lahey Mortuary West