John Butler

John was born on January 23, 1948 in Webster City, Iowa and departed this life on February 22, 2018 at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 70 years. He attended Webster City High School and Fort Dodge Community College. He graduated with an Associate Degree in Auto/Truck Repair. He was an Army veteran of Company A, 1st Battalion, 51st Infantry, 4th Armored Division and served from 1969 through 1971 on active duty in Crailsheim, Germany and from 1971 through 1975 in the Army Reserves. He owned and operated his own auto/truck and small engine sales and service business in Webster City. In 1984, he moved his family to Ardmore, Oklahoma where he had accepted the position of Maintenance Director for Bacon Transport. He accepted the position of Maintenance Director for Pacific Inland Transport in Yukon, Oklahoma in 1988 and the family moved to Tuttle, Oklahoma. He also owned and operated Butler & Sons Repair in Tuttle for a number of years. In 2002, he and his wife moved to Tahlequah, Oklahoma along the Illinois River where he worked for Schwan Foods, in Stilwell, OK.

John was an avid horseman. He was especially fond of the Appaloosa breed. He bred, trained and sold many horses over the years; was a member of the Appaloosa Horse Association and the American Cutting Horse Association. He was an active member of the Minco and Tuttle Roundup Clubs. He gave riding lessons to those who wanted to learn or just encouraged anyone to just spend time with them. He was a strong believer in the ability of a horse to heal your spirit.

He was preceded in death by his mother and his father, Ione E. and Victor W. Butler.

He is survived by a loving family which includes his wife, Karen; three sons, Victor Butler of Norman, OK; Vance and wife Nicole Butler of Claremore, OK; Aaron and wife Allison Butler of Minco, OK; six grandchildren, Victoria, Ella, Lincoln, Grant, Samantha and Andrew; three sisters, Sharon Fugate of Edgerton, Wisconsin, Carol Burnett of Boone, Iowa and Cheryl Butler of Bemidji, Minnesota. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends also survive him.

A gathering for relatives and friends to celebrate his life is scheduled for March 17, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Community Center, 122 Alder Way, Tahlequah, OK.

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