Gary Butler
Gary L. Butler
Gary was born May 26, 1947, in a two-room cabin. Gary started driving a truck at 15 before volunteering for service in the United States Navy as a Seabee at the age of 19. Hauling “anything from toilet paper to bombs.” He was proud of his service and always humbly said, “It was a privilege to serve my country.” Returning home, he continued trucking, becoming an owner/operator in the 70’s. He retired working for Equipment Transfer. His years of truck driving developed his skill of being a walking GPS, often helping family and friends navigate around the country with exact detail. Gary was proudest of his children and their families, Angela, Crystal, Christina and Jerrame. He was a loving and caring father, setting the example for how to love your kids. He never stopped taking care of his family. When the kids thanked him, he would always say, “That’s my job.” His children were honored to care for him during his illness after the years he spent caring for them. He loved riding his scooter (motorcycle), a good joke, listening to the saddest country music you could find, and his puppy dogs. There was nothing Gary couldn’t build or fix, enjoying the challenge of creating a solution. He always had a precise and methodical way of completing his work. He passed on May 26, 2022, his 75th birthday, due to prostate cancer caused by Agent Orange Exposure while serving his country in Vietnam 1966-67, surrounded by his family at home. Celebrating birthdays was an honored family tradition, and Gary honored his children’s “direct orders” to make it to this milestone birthday. With hard work and dedication, he was able to achieve the American dream, coming from nothing to leaving a legacy. He is missed beyond words.