Helen Osgood Lutz

Helen Osgood Lutz, an indomitable spirit, was born in Amarillo, Texas on June 1, 1918, and died in Amarillo on July 22, 2012.  All of her children, eight of her grandchildren and her much beloved cousin, Kenneth Wheeler, were with her when she passed away.  Helen graduated from Amarillo High School in 1936 and from Baylor University in 1940 with a Bachelor of Music Degree.  On May 11, 1943, Helen married Charles Day Lutz, Jr. in Amarillo.  Reared in Gary, Indiana, Charles had graduated from Harvard University and was stationed at Amarillo Air Force Base during World War II.  Subsequent to their marriage, they were stationed in El Paso, Texas, Savannah, Georgia and Panama.   After the war, they lived in New Jersey for four years while Charles attained his MBA at New York University and worked for Bigelow Sanford Carpet Company.  The first two of their four children were born while they were living in New Jersey.  In October of 1949, Helen and Charles settled in Amarillo.  Charles successfully ran Osgood Monument and Marble Company, a firm founded by Helen’s father, until 1969, and then served as President of Amarillo College, a role he and Helen thoroughly enjoyed until Charles’ death in 1979.  Helen and Charles were long-time members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where Helen served as an Elder for many years.  She was a member of the boards of directors of the Amarillo Red Cross, Meals on Wheels and active in the American Association of University Women, the J.U.G. Club, P.E.O. Chapter B, Harmony Club and McDowell Music Club.   Helen was an accomplished pianist and played for her own pleasure and that of others her entire life.  She shared her love of music with her children and grandchildren.  Helen was predeceased by her parents, Ida and Arthur Osgood, her twin sister, Ellen, her sisters, Bernice, Lorraine and Lenore and her brother, Marion.   She was also predeceased by her daughter, Ellen Lutz Smith (Jeffery Jon), who died in 1993.  Helen is survived by her children, Margaret Lutz Stavros (Anthony Thomas), Charles Day Lutz III (Holly Hearn), Elizabeth Lutz Ingham (Orris Karr) and her son-in-law, Jeffery Jon Smith (Helen Morrow).  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Charles Day Lutz IV (Cynthia Weilbacher), Rebecca Lutz Stavros, Howard Hearn Lutz (Jody Hamm), Sarah Elizabeth Stavros, Charles August Stavros (Erin McBurnett), Helen Osgood Lutz, Jeffery Jon Smith, Jr.(Amanda Williams), Anne Margaret Stavros, Andrew Lutz Smith, Allison Claire Ingham and Catherine Grace Ingham.  Also surviving Helen are her great grandchildren, Charles Day Lutz V, Mary-Katherine Daley Lutz, Colton John Lutz, Graham William Smith, Carolyn Hennessey Lutz, Elise Ellen Stavros and Eloise Leta Smith.  Other survivors include her cousin, Kenneth W. Wheeler, her brother-in-law, Richard Lawrence Lutz (Mary) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.  The family respectfully requests that memorial contributions in Helen’s memory be made to the Charles Day Lutz, Jr. Scholarship Fund at Amarillo College.

Memorial Services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 2:00 PM on Wednesday.  The Rev. Dr. Clay Brown will officiate.  Private interment will be held at Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia.

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