Richard Neil Butler, 86 of Murphys California and formerly of Baxter, passed away on January 20, 2011 at his home in California. A graveside service will be held on Monday, April 18, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the Restland Cemetery in Baxter. Jeanette Watters will be officiating.
Richard was born on May 16, 1924 in Ringsted, Iowa to Ralph and Gwendolyn (Baker) Butler. After high school he joined the Air Force to help with the nation's war effort. He then attended Simpson College and graduated with a teaching degree. He was an avid baseball player and played professional baseball in Topeka, KS, Miami, OK, and in the Western Association Leagues. Richard was a member of the Simpson College Sports Hall of Fame, and was the recipient of the Freedom Foundation of the Valley Forge classroom teacher's medal. He was a school teacher for 35 years and a principal of Bret Harte Union High School for 9 years.
Those left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 63 years, Elaine Butler of Murphys, CA; son David Butler of Lincoln, CA; four grandsons Richard Butler of NY, Mark Butler of IA, Rawley Butler of IA, and Zane Butler of KS.[more]