James R. Butler

James R. Butler died at Whidbey General Hospital on Dec 5, 2012 at the age of 79 of a heart attack.

He was born in Delta, Colo. to Bernard and Belle (Browning) Butler and graduated from Delta High School with the Class of 1951. He married Elizabeth Johnson on Nov 22, 1958 at Moffitt Field, Calif. and enjoyed a wonderful 54 years of marriage to her.

Following high school, Jim worked in the uranium mines before joining the U. S. Navy in Jan 1952.

His duties as a Flight Engineer led him to assignments around the world that included serving in the Vietnam War and on various aircraft carriers. He retired as a Command Master Chief after 30 years of honorable service to his country. After his retirement from the U. S. Navy, Jim worked another 15

years for Whidbey General Hospital as the head of the engineering department, where he was able to continue to use his vast mechanical knowledge and leadership skills.

After his second retirement, Jim spent his remaining years serving as the neighborhood “handy-man.” You would always see him around the neighborhood helping others repair their cars, fixing lawnmowers, or performing many other errands. He was also an active member of the sheriff’s department volunteer patrol.

Jim was an avid hunter, fisherman and camper; hobbies he had enjoyed since his early childhood days.

He would often head to the Cascade and Rocky Mountains to enjoy the outdoors. He was an expert shotgun trap and skeet shooter, earning several trophies in individual and team competitions.

Most importantly, Jim was a devoted and loyal husband and father and his family came first before all other activities. As his children grew and moved away, he made numerous trips across the country to visit his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife, Beth, of Oak Harbor; son John Butler and wife Rose, of Great Lakes, Ill.; son William (Bill) of Oak Harbor; daughter Lori Stokes, of Mansfield, Texas; eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services with full military honors were held on Dec 13, 2012 in Oak Harbor. During the summer of 2013, his ashes will be spread in the mountains of Colorado that he loved so much.