David Butler

HUSON - David “Dave” Butler passed away Sunday, October. 19, 2008.





He was born January. 9, 1930, in Tracy, Minn., to Emil and Rafael Maguire Butler. While growing up during World War II his family moved to many states, including California, Florida and Tennessee, while his father was part of the Manhattan Project, performing construction work.





He was a gifted athlete in high school and was a letterman on his high school basketball, football and baseball teams. He had a tremendous throwing arm that landed him a stint as pitcher in the minor leagues in Minnesota. He proudly served four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1955 at his final station of duty, Malmstrom Air Base. It was there he fell in love with the state of Montana, which he made his lifelong home.





Dave worked for Mutual of Omaha from 1955 to 1980 in the Great Falls, Butte, Billings and Missoula offices as an insurance salesman and a manager. He also worked for AAA for nine years before retiring in 1990.





He was an outdoorsman and loved camping and fishing the Montana lakes with his wife, Sue, his family and friends. He loved traveling to the Oregon and Washington coasts and RV trips to Arizona. He was also a skilled woodworker and produced many fine pieces of furniture and woodcraft. As an avid reader, he loved to share and discuss books with his friends.





Dave is survived by his beloved wife, Sue Butler; son, Scott Adams Cortner (Kristy); daughter, Leigh Maureen (Matt) Charles; sister, Joann Butler; grandchildren, Cole Mahaney Cortner and Lee Adams Cortner; his nieces, Teri (Keith) Nance, Julie (Gary) Rhymes and January (David) Larson; nephew, Jeff Showell (Denise); his sisters and brother-in-law, Judy and John Schaffer and Florence (Tage) Showell.





He was preceded in passing by his parents, Emil and Rafael Butler; and his mother and father-in-law, Florence and Harry Adams.





Thank you to Dr. Eric Hughson and Diane for all their years of care and patience. Thank you to Dr. John Trauscht and many thanks to the Frenchtown Fire Department for their many responses to aid Dave.





A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, October. 24, at Sunset Memorial in Missoula, followed by a dedication service at 11 a.m. at the veterans cemetery.





In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Western Montana or Food Bank of Missoula, or the charity of your choice.

Read David Butler's Obituary and Guestbook.