You'll graduate today

Eldon at high school graduation - May 30, 1946

to Eldon

from his father, Jesse Butler

 May 1946

Your High School days are over.

Your books are laid away.

Your troubles and worries are over -

You'll graduate today.

We wish you every happiness,

and may the years unfold

a bright and happy future

and your clouds be lines with gold.

But if the time should ever come

when the sun don't shine as bright,

and the storm clouds seem to gather,

and your days are dark as night.

But always remember this my son

and hold your head up high.

The sun is bound to shine again

and the clouds go floating by.

Oh never, never do a thing

to darken your fair name

or cause your mother or your dad

to bow their heads with shame.

But always strive to do your best 

even when your skies are gray

and may we always be as proud 

as we are of you today.

David Eldon Butler

David Eldon Butler
born 6 August 1948

Just less than a month after Eldon's death, his son David Eldon Butler was born. Susan was living in California, but took David to see his Butler grandparents in Colorado that fall.

David and Susan
Fall, 1948

Grandma Mable (reflected in mirror) - David
Fall, 1948

When David was about a year old, Susan married Rolland Flemons. Rolland adopted David and his name was changed to David Lynn Flemons. For a few years, Susan continued to visit in Colorado on occasion, so David spent time with his Butler Grandparents.

David at Grandma and Grandpa Butler's house
Summer, 1952

David reading with Uncle Lou
Summer, 1952

David - maybe 10 years old
undated photo

Flemons Family - 1959
Debbie - Rolland - David
Terry (front)

Susan later married Gerald McKenzie and David's last name was changed to McKenzie.

McKenzie Family - 1962
Terry - David - Gerald - Susan - Kammy - Debbie

David - high school senior
1966

David graduated from UCLA in 1970 with a Bachelor's Degree in History. In 1973 he received his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of San Diego and was admitted to the California Bar in 1973.

He learned to fly with the Camp Pendleton Flying Club in 1977, and over the next 20 years owned or had partnership interests in several small planes. He moved to Haines, Alaska about 1995.

David died in a plane crash in Alaska. The following is taken from a letter written by David's mother, Susan, to Lou in June of 1999:

He crashed May 2, 1999. They had Search and Rescue teams for 8 days. They had a memorial for him in Alaska and California.

Dave loved Alaska. So he was really doing what he wanted the last few years. And actually, Dave had said that when it was his time he wanted to go in PAPA (his plane) and fast. So that was what happened. So that's a pretty good thing, to go the way you prefer.

" . . . I haven't much time"

Eldon "barbering"
June 1948

After getting married, Eldon attended Moler Barber School and after a short time looking for a job, began working as a barber. The following excerpts from letters to his parents, give some interesting history about wages and opportunities at that time.

Undated, but approximately February or March, 1948
I know it's been a long time since I wrote to you but I've been ashamed to face you, even in a letter. You put me through 13 years of school, 9 months of Barbering & now I don't have a job. I feel terrible and can't seem to do anything about it. . . . Waiting is harder than working. I do want to Barber & if I can just hold out I'm sure something will present itself for me. Thanks for the 2 dollars as we have budgeted ourselves too close this week & were afraid we wouldn't be able to stay away from the Baby Bank. We will make it tho and I have confidence that the Lord will answer our prayers.

May 19, 1948
My 20 pay insurance [?] costs 80 cents every 2 weeks & I get $500 back in 20 years so use tip money for insurance. Including tips & commission I bring in an average of $40 a week so we really feel good. Barbering is just what I needed. I work about 4 hours a day at present and wait 6 hours. I'm getting better & pretty soon will be able to compete with Mom and Aunt Florence. Seriously tho, it's pretty hard to satisfy the average man. My boss has taught me more about barbering, shaving & all than Moler college did. He is a swell man & gives me all the help I need in every way I'd need it. I cut Dr. Towndsend's hair twice now & hope to have a steady customer. I have worked 9 weeks now & have about 63 more weeks to go before I take my master barber test.

We still owe 27 dollars on doctor & hospital bills then the Baby will be paid for in advance. [Baby was due in August.] We have about $165 in the bank now & want to make it one thousand as soon as possible The first $1000 is supposed to be the hardest - the rest comes easy. We have a "Hit & Miss" budget. We try to hit the bank every week, but miss sometimes.

On March 29, 1948 I received a letter from Eldon. He was very excited about his stake missionary work. It was the last letter I received from him prior to his death.

On July 9, 1948 Eldon was killed in a car accident in Los Angeles, California. He had been married 11 months, and Susan was expecting their first child. My parents flew to Los Angeles immediately, and the next day Chuck, Pinkie, Leona and I drove there.

Newspaper report of Eldon's death

Telegrams of condolence sent to Jess & Mable

Eldon's funeral program

Perhaps Eldon had a sense that his life would be short - Mable recorded in the back of Eldon's baby book:
Mother's Day - 1947 Mother, I have to get married and start my family for I haven't much time.

Susan, don't you carry on when I go & tell Mother too. You know where I'm going & what the gospel means to me.