Ralph E. Butler Jr. aka “JR,” 63, died June 7, 2021 after a long illness.
Ralph was born June 17, 1957 to Ralph and Berdean (Sewell) Butler of Davenport. While attending Monroe grade school, the family moved to Durant. Although JR did not graduate from Durant High School, he chose instead to enter the military. After deployment to Germany, he earned an honorable discharge.
A color guard ceremony was held June 21 at the Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois.
JR was a talented artist, a gift he inherited from his father. He specialized in mirror and glass etching. He also loved his motorcycles and the friends he made on rides.
He was a proud member of the AM Vets Post 107 of Richmond, Iowa. Before his illness, he proudly participated in the color guard ceremonies on Veterans Day.
Survivors include his sons, Rick E. Butler and family of West Branch, Ryan E. Butler and family of West Branch; siblings Cathy (Garry) McCollom of Danville, Virginia, Debra Bryant of Washington, Becky (Mike) Williams of Topeka, Kansas, John (Deb) Stewart of Waterloo, Pam Becky Salazar of Texas, Vickie Butler of Pennsylvania, Bobbie Snodgrass of Georgia, Tasha (John) Funte of Davenport, William (Valerie) Butler of Davenport, and Lenny Stroh Jr. of Maine.
JR was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Butler and Berdean (Sewell) Butler Stroh; paternal grandma Anne Butler Summer; other grandparents and siblings, Joyce Baggett and Johnny Butler.
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