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Alva Jerry Butler, 86, from Logan, Utah passed away at home on September 23, 2020.
He was born on March 8, 1934 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Alva Despain Butler and Mary Alice Spencer Butler. He was the youngest of four children.
He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Spencer Despain Butler and his two sisters, Janet Butler Bean and Joan Butler Neilson and her spouse Russell Neilson and also by a brother-in-law Clyde Robert (Bud) Pannier and his wife, Marilyn Peak Pannier.
He is survived by his wife, of 64 years, who he dated in high school and college, Gladys Anne Pannier Butler, his three children; Steven Jeffery Butler (Belinda), Suzanne Butler Ross (Bruce), and Richard Jerry Butler (Dee). He is also survived by eight grand children (JR. Sara, Shannon. Kathryn, Jerry, Scott, Kassandra, and Heather) and 13 great-grandchildren.
He graduated in 1952 from East High where he played football and also took Latin as his foreign language. This later paid off when he went to the University of Utah’s Collage of Law and became a lawyer in 1956. He worked many jobs during his life from yard work to plumbing, delivering news papers, manning a service station and parking cars. While at the University he worked the full-time graveyard shift at the veterans’ hospital and then went to his classes. He even found time to join the PI KAPPA ALPHA fraternity, an organization he supported for over 65 years.
After he passed the bar exam, Jerry and Anne were married on August 4, 1956. He and three friends set up a law office, Butler, Mills, Mitsunaga and Ross in Salt Lake City. After a couple of years, they disbanded and Jerry joined the US Air Force.
Jerry was a true warrior serving his nation during the Korean War and the Vietnam War as a member of the US Army Reserves (4 years) and then in the US Air Force (26 years). His time in the Armed Forces included being stationed in Utah, Arkansas, Japan, Maine, New Jersey, Virginia, Philippines, California, and his final duty station at the Pentagon in Washington DC.
Highlights of his career included being accepted to New York University and in 1969 receiving a degree in International Law (He was certified to try cases in the US Supreme Court) that facilitated him being assigned to work the US Vietnam prisoner of war issues, serving as the legal advisor to the US Ambassador of the Philippines and helping to negotiate the Panama Canal Treaty. He retired in 1985 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He proudly earned the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Joint Service and Air Force Commendation Medals.
Jerry’s two favorite callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were serving in the Elders Quorum Presidency and teaching Gospel Doctrine classes.
Jerry was a strong supporter of those who serve and have served as members of the Armed Services. In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations be made in his name, Lt. Col. Jerry Butler, to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
A Celebration of his Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2020. A viewing starts at 1:00pm with the service starting at 2:00pm at Larkin Sunset Lawns, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at Larkin Mortuary.