Rodney Gayle Butler
Rodney Gayle Butler, our beloved Dad and Papa took his final flight to his heavenly home on March 25, 2022 at the age of 82.
On March 22, 1940, Rodney was born in Mineral Wells to Hannah and Olen Butler. As an only child he grew up playing on the hills around his home. As a teen, he once had over forty traps set for coons and possums. He admitted to catching a few neighborhood cats as well! He graduated Mineral Wells High School in 1958. He was encouraged by his mother who was a beautician, to complete beauty school. Can you imagine HIM cutting your hair? He attended North Texas State University for a time, and then joined the Army National Guard. As a young man Rodney purchased a ski boat from a man named Berry Walton, and not long after, he met Berry’s daughter, Linda Faye Walton. On July 11, 1964, he and Linda were married. She often joked that she just married him to get her ski boat back. Soon after, Rebecca Lynn was born, followed two years later by Rodney Brent.
Rodney’s parents raised him in the Baptist Church. Linda’s family was from the Methodist. After they married, they decided to visit the little church not far from their home. They have since been lifelong members of Eleventh Avenue Church, where Rodney was an original Trustee.
Rodney was employed at Southern Airways as a mechanic until it closed in 1973. This led his family on a great adventure when he went to work for Bell Helicopter, and they moved to Isfahan, Iran. Upon return to the states, he worked in the oilfield and resumed his passion as a crew chief for the Air National Guard, flying Chinook helicopters. Eventually he was able to work for the Guard full-time at the UTES training facility on the Fort Wolters Base in Mineral Wells. Rodney proudly served his country on active duty several times. He was saddened when he had to retire from flying his beloved Chinooks. After retirement, he and Linda spent much time traveling with family and friends.
Restoring cars was not just a retirement hobby for Rodney, as he and his dad began restoring his dad’s 1927 Buick when he was in high school. His most recent “project” was with his good friend Dean Holbrook, a red 1951 Chevy Pickup.
Rodney was always helping anyone in need and volunteered at the National Vietnam War Museum and Palo Pinto General Hospital Axillary for many years.
Rodney is survived by the love of his life for almost 58 years, Linda Faye Butler, his daughter and son-in law, Becky and Trey Evans; son and daughter in law, Brent and Tracy Butler; five grandchildren he loved greatly, Ryan and his wife Elizabeth, Rhett and his wife Allyson, Brady Barron, Brock Barron, and his only granddaughter, Reagan Butler; three Great Granddaughters, Noel, Shayla and, Kayla Butler; and his first great-grandson, due in May. He was preceded in death by his parents, Olen and Hanna Butler.
Visitation was held Thursday, March 31, 2022 from 6:00- 8:00 PM at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner. Service was held Friday, April 1, 2022, 10:00 AM at Eleventh Avenue Church, 206 SW 11th Ave., Mineral Wells, Texas. Burial with military honors was held at Elmwood Cemetery in Mineral Wells. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The National Vietnam War Museum, PO Box 1779, Weatherford, Texas 76086.
