Military Service Remembered

Radio School Graduate - 1st tour of duty
2 August 1943

Leaving the family behind - 2nd tour of duty
18 August 1950

For the years you served 

and the sacrifices you made

- a Veteran's Day thank you.

To read about Lou's military service,  click the military service

link in the labels column to the right

Remembering

Memorial Day

2011

Sunset Memorial Gardens

Greeley, Colorado

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. 

 A good, clean, God-fearing citizen of high moral standard – an asset to any community. 

What better can be said of any man?

Happy 88!

If you haven't been in Greeley lately . . .

 . . . here are some pictures of the beautiful spot where Dad is buried.

Lush  grass and lots of big trees make Sunset Memorial Garden a pleasant, green oasis.

Family members like to stop by.

 Glenna - Lou - Leona
March 2009

Leona - Don - Emily - Katie

July, 2005

  This week the anniversary flowers are a bright spot against the green grass.

 The marker looks as beautiful now as it day the day it was put in place.

It's a peaceful place to visit.

In Memory

 Respectful grandsons performing a final act of service for a much loved grandfather

July 30, 2005

Louis Butler

Louis Edward Butler, 82, of Greeley died Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at his home.

He was born March 16, 1923, in Haswell to Jesse L. and Mable E. (Davis) Butler.

On Nov. 17, 1943, he married Eleanor Leona Carpenter in Seattle.

Mr. Butler was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He grew up in Pueblo and served in the Navy during World War II. He was stationed in Adak in the Aleutian Islands. After his discharge, he went to college and graduated from Colorado State College of Education, now the University of Northern Colorado, with a master's degree in 1954. He also served in the armed forces in the Korean War. Afterward, he taught elementary school and was a principal for 33 years in Pueblo. After his retirement in 1983, he and his wife completed several missions for the LDS church, serving at the Haskell Junior College in Lawrence, Kan., and at LDS temples in Germany and Switzerland.

Mr. Butler was active in Boy Scouts for many years and received the Silver Beaver award for outstanding service.

Survivors are his wife, E. Leona Butler of Greeley; four sons, Louis E. Butler Jr. and wife Kaylene of Pleasant View, Utah, James A. Butler and wife Tesi of Colorado Springs, Charles T. Butler and wife Carol of Yuma, Ariz., and Donald E. Butler and wife Lynnette of Greeley; a sister-in-law, Charlotte I. Butler; 17 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a niece, Beth Butler, and two nephews, Charles Butler and Gary Butler.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, J. Eldon Butler, Charles L. Butler and Delbert L. Butler.

Services will be at noon Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2116 23rd Ave., Greeley. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Greeley.

Friends may visit from 6:30-8 p.m. today at Stoddard Funeral Home and 11 a.m.-noon Saturday at the church. 

obituary posted in the Greeley Tribune, July 29, 2005

PODner Mable

 Lou's mother, Mable, worked at the Pueblo Ordnance Depot for a number of years.  These pictures and clippings document the honor she received as PODner of the month in May, 1961.

Mable Elsa Davis Butler

May, 1961

Letter of recognition and

 the pin she received

Newspaper clipping from the Pueblo Star-Journal

Bro. Evenson's additional recognition of Mable's honor

Thoughts of Dad - Don

Living in Greeley for Dad's education
June, 1951

Don leaving for his mission
August 1968

Louis Butler left his heavenly home many years ago and came here to the earth to experience a wonderful mission that lasted eighty-two years. He made many special friends and even cemented many of his relationships with formal ordinances that tie him to his wife and children together, forever. To say the least, he was not anxious to leave this mission, nor to say goodbye to his companions.

Having observed Dad for the previous month, and having discussed his condition with a few of the nurses and doctors, I felt hat he would soon leave this life. Perhaps it was selfish of me, but I wanted to talk to Dad about this possibility. I wanted to hear from him one last time, his testimony and any words of wisdom he might have for us as we continue here without him. When he realized what I wanted, he gave me everything I needed to know in just five simple words. He said, "I hope I am worthy."

Those words are so important. Dad had no doubt about who he was or where he came from. He didn't say, "I hope there is a God." He didn't say, "I hope there is an afterlife." He didn't say, "I hope Christ really is our Savior." He didn't say, "I hope Christ's sacrifice really does wash away our sins." He knows all of those things are true.

Arab son and Dad
October, 1979

Garden work
April, 1988

Avon, Colorado
November, 1996

Thoughts of Dad - Chuck

At the trailer in Greeley
June 1951

Dad with Tom and Don
1967

On my father's computer in his study, he has a picture on the home page of him sitting at his desk with the Bible open and he is writing on a pad of paper. This is truly how I remember my father. If he was not at work or Church, he would be in his study reading the scriptures of working at his desk planning meetings or church activities. He was always using his time to plan, prepare or study. By being organized and prepared, he was always successful in everything he set out to do.

My father always placed the Lord first in his life, and kept His commandments; he set the example for us by having daily personal and family prayers, daily scripture reading, and he always attended his church meetings. Whenever possible, he attended the temple, and he also served on a temple mission which shows me how important the temple was to him.

My father has been blessed in many ways, especially with the gift of teaching by the spirit which he has been able to do all through his life. My father was a spiritual man who loved his wife and family. He did his best to prepare us to return to our Father in Heaven as a family. We have been blessed in many ways and are looking forward to being with him again some day.

Together in Germany
1989

Rhine River Cruise
1990

Vacationing in Arizona
1992

Thoughts of Dad - Jim

Living in a trailer in Greeley
June, 1951

"Here is a picture . . . to show you how good I feel when I think of you."
1965

In my eyes, next to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my father was the most righteous man to have ever walked the earth.

When I was a young man, my father and his brother were Boy Scout Leaders. Together they helped many young men to be great men. They taught by example and through the Spirit.

My father believed in personal and family prayer, and personal and family scripture study. He loved the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Even during his weakest moments last week, my father was still teaching my brothers and I. Each day he would sit up on the edge of his hospital bed, my mother sitting with her arm around him, and he would tell her that he loved her.

Lincoln Monument - Cheyenne, Wyoming
Fall, 1987

Dad's 65th birthday - March 1985
Denver, Colorado

Dad with Jim's family
May, 1993

Thoughts of Dad - Lou

Today is the four-year anniversary of Dad's death. For the next four days, I will post excerpts from the talks that his sons gave at his funeral.

Lou, Jr. - Lou, Sr.
1947

Father and son
going to school together - early 1950's

Lou and his St. Bernard, Gussie, with Mom and Dad
1967

He used to take his time umpiring and assisting at athletic events. We thought he was being unfair, because he'd always make the call for the person on other team, and not us.

He was always the Scoutmaster. His biggest challenge was getting us to help set up camp instead of going off fishing.

He taught us how to work, mainly by example. He used to drag us four boys to clean the garage every Saturday morning.

Dad was always busy with Church, but he always had time for us boys with whatever we needed.

Dad would get pretty upset with some of the things we'd do, but he never lost his temper or abused us. One time when he paddled me, I said I didn't do it. He said it was for one of the times when I deserved it and didn't get it!

Pleasant View - 1995

San Diego - 1999