all are safely gathered in: This is your life!

The following was a presentation honoring Dad when he was released as the Bishop of the Pueblo Ward in 1966.
It was written by Verda Kay Gibson who obtained the information from
Mom and Uncle Joe and Aunt Fern. Although Verda didn't get all the facts quite right,
I thought it would be a great way to honor Dad's birthday.

As the late winter sun cast its final rays of the day on the tiny, two room white house, the population of the small eastern Colorado town was increased by one. The newcomer made his arrival known by a loud, lusty expansion of his lungs. The date – March 16, 1923, the place – Haswell, Colorado.

THIS IS YOUR LIFE, BISHOP LOUIS EDWARD BUTLER!

The first child of Jesse and Mable Davis Butler, you and your parents moved to Pueblo while you were still a small child. In the next few years, you were joined by three brothers, Charles, Eldon and Delbert. While you boys were still small, your parents became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Although you and your brothers did have the usual brotherly fights and arguments, and a few trips to the woodshed were necessary to help mold your characters, the bond of brotherly love was very strong among you. Following Eldon’s graduation from High School, tragedy broke up this brother quartet. While driving down a California street, a large truck ran a red light, hitting Eldon’s car broadside. Our Heavenly Father called him home before any members of the family could reach his hospital bedside.

You started your first year of school at Parkview Grade School, where in the past few years, you have managed to advance to Principal - after 36 years, you’re at the same school. You attended Park Hill Junior High School, and were graduated from Centennial High School in 1941. During your high school years, you were employed at the 11th Street Grocery.

You and an attractive young girl, who would someday prove to be the biggest asset in your life, first met at M.I.A. Leona Carpenter knew you were for her the first time she laid eyes on you and only had to convince you of the same. She did succeed in getting you to take her to the show once, the summer before she started high school. You played the field for a while, dating several girls. Romeo Butler, you were known as in those days.

Leona finally succeeded in ‘landing’ you, and on November 17, 1943, you were married.

Since you had joined the Navy shortly after graduation from High School, you were stationed in Seattle and this is where your marriage took place. You and Leona lived in Seattle for five months before the Navy sent you to Adak, Alaska, and Leona returned to Pueblo. After twenty-one months in Adak, where you served as a communications technician, you were released from active service and returned to Pueblo where you attended Pueblo Junior College from 1946 to 1948. You were active in sports – football, baseball, basketball, etc.

Your ability to concentrate while trying to study was tested by the arrival of Louis Edward Jr., September 27, 1946.

Having once located your place of residence, the stork brought you another gift the following year, when on November 9, James Alan joined your family.

You taught PE at Minnequa School one year, and then desperately trying to lose the big white bird, you moved your family to Greeley where you attended college for one year.

Then once again the Navy had plans for you. “Join the Navy and see the world!” But where did the Navy send you this time during the Korean War? Why right back to good old Adak, Alaska, where you remained shivering and dreaming of Hawaii until your discharge several months later.

You once again returned to Pueblo, and once again the stork located you and in making up for ‘lost’ time, she presented you with not one, but two sons, Charles Thomas (Tom) and Donald Eldon (Don), July 3, 1949.

You were a principal at Bessemer School for seven years, before returning to your present position at your childhood school.

By returning to Greeley to study during the summer months, you were finally able to obtain your Master’s Degree in 1955.

One of the highlights of your life was having your family sealed to you for time and eternity when you went to the temple on August 5, 1963.

You have always been active in church work and civic affairs. You are a member of the Pueblo Business Men’s Club, Lions Club, and have been a Single Fund representative for District 60 for several years.

You served the Church as counselor under Bishop Evenson; you have been Scout Master, Seminary teacher, and with able understanding, patience and love, served as our Bishop from August 1963 to February 1966. You are presently High Councilor for the Adult Aaronic Priesthood.