[Don't] Keep your comments to yourself!

Cute cousins - 1968
Cindy Butler (Delbert) - Beth Butler (Charles)

After journaling my comings and goings and plans to return to blogging in this post of August 7, I got a comment that has thrilled me beyond words.  Some of you may have read the comment - if you're nosy like me, you often click to a comment to see what others are saying even if you don't want to add your own remark.  But just in case you didn't click through, here is what has me so excited:

"I felt compelled to comment when you said nobody else may be reading. I am Delbert Butler's oldest grandson; I have a brother, sister, and one female cousin on the Butler side. I found your blog while Googling my grandfather's name in an attempt to find out more about him. What a gold-mine of history and photos you have shared! I deeply appreciate it. I had never seen my grandparents' wedding picture, nor many of the photos of my grandfather in his youth, and of his parents and brothers. I was able to flesh out my Ancestry.com tree using the family pedigrees you made available, and I uploaded a few of your photos to my tree (which I hope you don't mind.)  

"I saw my grandfather only once in the last 3-5 years of his life, when I was a young teenager. I saw him a bit more in the late 80s and met Great-Grandma Mable one time at his house. Since we did not maintain contact with the Butler family, being able to learn about them through this blog has been a real gift." 

Can you believe that?  Because of this comment, I was able to make contact with a branch of the family tree that we had lost track of.  We have corresponded several times, and I recently sent a number of Delbert's family pictures to Andy who is now sharing them his mom and her sisters - Delbert's daughters.  I feel like those pictures have finally made it home!

Isn't the internet wonderful?  I find it amazing that just a simple search for a name has created a new family connection and added leaves on the family tree.  

So, stand up and be counted!  If you're reading, feel free to add your thoughts.  What do you remember about any of the people or events that I've recorded here?  This history belongs to all of us, and I hope you'll add to it.

Thanks for speaking up, Andy!

Delbert - marriage and career

Delbert
School Picture - 1981

Delbert Llewellyn Butler - Marian LaVern Williams
April 26, 1952

They were married by Bishop Maurice A. Evensen
in the LDS Church on 4th Street and Kingston, Pueblo Colorado

Their reception was held at the home of Delbert's parents
1806 E. 5th Street, Pueblo Colorado

Delbert graduated from Colorado State College of Education in 1957
and began his career as a high school business teacher.

Marian and Delbert with four daughters
Melody Kay (1954) - Sandra Gay (1956)
Rebecca Rae (1959) - Cynthia Elaine (1962)
(Delbert and Marian later divorced)

In March, 1966 Delbert had open heart surgery. I'm including the following pictures, because they show how hospitals and medical care have changed over the last 40 years.


That's quite an incision. . .

When was the last time you saw a patient leave the hospital dressed in a suit?


Delbert - his mother, Mable Butler
1988


Delbert passed away on November 7, 1997.

Delbert grows up

Delbert with friends from church
Circa 1940

This picture looks like a Sunday School class
Obviously, hats were a fashion statement

Delbert - 10 years old
Los Angeles - 1944
I think this picture was taken on a trip to California to visit Aunt Florence and Uncle Evan

Picture taken at the Brigham Young's grave in Salt Lake City, Utah
circa 1946

14 years old - 1948

Delbert's senior picture, perhaps
circa 1952

Again, I have no written information, so if you have any memories or stories about Delbert's life, please leave them in a comment or send them in an email to the address on the side bar.

Delbert Llewellyn Butler

Lou was the oldest of four sons of Jess and Mable Butler.

His youngest brother, Delbert was the fourth son, and was born
May 26, 1934 in Pueblo, Colorado.

Delbert Llewellyn Butler
circa 1936

I don't have a lot of written information about Delbert, but the following pictures give a good idea of his young life.

Perhaps his first tricycle

What a great wheelbarrow!

Do any of you know who this man is with Delbert?

All dressed up for a Christmas picture
December, 1937

Delbert enjoying a hot rod with Frank Sussex

Delbert at the Harriman Ranch - 1938

It appears that World War II had
an influence on Delbert's wardrobe
January, 1942


The family rabbits were both pets and dinner.


This is the first post of several about Delbert.
Future posts will depict his high school years, marriage, and adult life.