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David Butler
David Butler
July 31, 1936 - April 22, 2008
David Stanley Butler, 71
Died: Tuesday, April 22, 2008, in East Texas Medical Center-Athens
Services for David Stanley Butler, Senior Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, Retired, are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Sunday at First Baptist Church with Dr. Kyle Henderson and Rev. Richard Palmer officiating. Burial with full military honors are scheduled for 2:30 P.M. Monday at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.
Mr. Butler died April 22, 2008 in Athens.
He was born July 31, 1936 in Buena Vista, Tennessee to the late Landrum Stanley and Willie Mae Wood Butler. Sgt. Butler served the United States Air Force 22 years with two assignments in the United Kingdom and a Southeast Asia tour. While in Europe he had the privilege of playing professional football two years for the Air Force. Special units that were very meaningful to David's career were the Strategic Air Command, Tactical Air Command, Charge Officer for NCOIC. He worked jointly with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police while in North Dakota. David was recipient of the Top Cop Performance Award while serving in Southeast Asia.
After retiring in 1976, David moved to Athens and began working for Pioneer Machine and Tool Company which later sold to Bell Rubber Company. He retired as Plant Manager in 1991. He was a long time member of First Baptist Church and formerly served as third grade Sunday School Director and fifth grade Sunday School Teacher. David's passion was to encourage and instruct youth of all ages which he did so tirelessly working with 4-H and Teenage Baseball. He earned the title "Papa Bear" not only from his grandchilddren but the many young people who grew to love and admire him.
He was preceded in death by a son David Chris Butler in 1964. The family wish to give special thanks to Dr. Doug Curran, Lakeland Medical Associates and East Texas Medical Center for their compassionate care during David's last illness.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Gene Butler, Athens, son, Joe Butler and wife Carmen, Athens, daughters, Cindy Smith and husband R.D., Kim Echols and husband Steve, Tina Furr and husband Guy, all of Athens, brother, Jiommy Butler, Bruceton, Tenn., grandchildren, Jennifer, Blake and Haley Butler, Katie, David Cody, Sarah, Anna and Mary Beth Smith, Jessica Kirksey, Lauren Rogers, Brittney Rogers, Kinnsey Echols, Alex and Preston Furr, great grandson, Hunter Butler, numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Family will receive condolence calls at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home 6-8 P.M. Saturday.
If desired memorials may be made to American Heart Association, P O Box 15186, Austin, Texas, 78761, American Diabetes Association, P O Box 2680, North Canton, Ohio, 44720 or a charity of choice. [Source: Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, Athens, TX]
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Butler, David Stanley
David Stanley Butler, US Air Force, RET.
Athens, TX - Services for David Stanley Butler, Senior Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, Retired, are scheduled for 2:00 PM Sunday at First Baptist Church , Athens, Texas, with Dr. Kyle Henderson and Rev. Richard Palmer officiating. Burial with full military honors are scheduled for 2:30 PM Monday at Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home. Mr. Butler died April 22, 1008 in Athens. He was born July 31, 1936 in Buena Vista, Tennessee to the late Landrum Stanley and Willie Mae Wood Butler. Sgt. Butler served the United States Air Force 22 years with two assignments in the United Kingdom and a Southeast Asia tour. He was preceded in death by a son, David Chris Butler, in 1964. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Gene Butler, Athens; son, Joe Butler and wife Carmen, Athens; daughters, Cindy Smith and husband R. D., Kim Echols and husband Steve and Tina Furr and husband Guy all of Athens; brother, Jimmy Butler, Bruceton, TN; 14 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. If desired memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or a charity of choice. Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home Athens, Texas 903-675-2211 [Source: The Jackson Sun]