CSM (Ret) Jack D. Butler

Command Sergeant Major Jack D. Butler, son of the late Harold O. and Hazel E. (Nelson) Butler, was born December 9, 1929 in Eureka, Kansas, and graduated from Tonovay High School in 1947. He attended Emporia State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas concentrating in physical education and mathematics. Following this, he signed a contract to play professional baseball in the Kansas-Missouri-Oklahoma League with the New York Yankees. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1951 and completed basic and advanced training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He participated as a member of the 120th Engineers, 45th Infantry Division, in the Korean War. Between the Korean War and 1967, he served in diversified unit and staff positions in Europe, Iceland and the United States. Between troop assignments, Command Sergeant Major Butler graduated from the Noncommissioned Officers Academy, with honors, at Fort Leonard Wood. Following a three-year tour in Germany, Command Sergeant Major Butler was assigned as operations sergeant of the 168th Engineer Battalion (Combat) in Vietnam. After his selection as command sergeant major, he served with the 168th Engineer Battalion (Combat) and the 79th Engineer Group in Vietnam. He participated in four Vietnam campaigns, including the Tet Offensive. From October 1968 to June 1972, Command Sergeant Major Butler was assigned as battalion command sergeant major at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After an assignment as an engineer group command sergeant major in Germany, he returned to Fort Leonard Wood in 1976 as Command Sergeant Major of the 2nd Training Brigade. In 1978, he was selected as the Post Command Sergeant Major of Fort Leonard wood. Command Sergeant Major Butler has been a senior noncommissioned officer for over 29 years. He was selected as a first sergeant during his initial term of service and has been a Command Sergeant Major for 14 years. He was also selected by the Army to serve 35 years. During his illustrious career of more than 31 years, Command Sergeant Major Butler has been honored for valor on the battlefield and for meritorious service in positions of great responsibility. His many awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Bronze Star for Valor, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, four awards of the Army Commendation Medal, two awards of the Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendant, ten awards of the Good Conduct Medal, The Silver Order of the De Fleury Medal, Secretary of Defense Cold War Certificate of Recognition, Presidential Korean War Certificate, and many other campaign awards and service ribbons. Command Sergeant Major Butler was a member of the Army Engineer Association, Sergeants Major Association, Association of the United States Army, Francis J. Lynch VFW No. #3168 of Laquey, Plato Masonic Lodge No. 469 AF & AM, Plato Chapter No. 240 Order of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite-Valley of Joplin, Abou Ben Adhem Shrine of Springfield, Committee of Fifty, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post 331 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 49. Command Sergeant Major Butler was a 50 year member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shrine International, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Command Sergeant Major Butler was united in marriage to Dolores June McCollam on March 12, 1954 in Kansas City, Kansas. They shared over 62 years of marriage together and were blessed with three children: Jackie, Sharon and Janet. In his spare time, Command Sergeant Major Butler enjoyed being outdoors fishing and traveling with Dolores. He loved attending and watching any baseball game he could and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family and friends, especially the grandchildren. Command Sergeant Major Butler passed away Friday, March 18, 2016 in the Mercy Hospital of Springfield, Missouri having attained the age of 86 years, 3 months and 9 days. He will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved him. Command Sergeant Major Butler leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Dolores of the home; three children: Jackie Dean Butler II (Annette) of Fairborn, OH, Sharon Corum of Pataskala, OH, and Janet Wieberg of Columbia, MO; seven grandchildren: Shawndra Corum, L. John Corum, Skylar Corum, Jared Corum, Michelle Jenkins (Nathan), Jessica Wieberg (Kyle), and Tiffiny Fuller; four great-grandchildren: Kendall, Khloe,Jacob and Ellie Jo; two sisters: Wanda Frakes of Eureka, KS and Dixie Holm of Denver, CO; one brother: Richard “Butch” Butler of Augusta, KS; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Command Sergeant Major Butler was preceded in death by five siblings: Wayne Butler, Glen Butler, Albert Butler, Dorthy Butler, and Stephen “Cap” Butler. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, 2016 in the Memorial Chapels of Waynesville with Pastor Bill O’Neal officiating. Jackie Dean Butler, II, Bob Dills and Hal Dandrige, all recalled their wonderful memories of Jack. Soloist Becky Lercher sang “Another Soldiers Coming Home” and “Amazing Grace”. Serving as escorts were the United States Army and serving as honorary escorts were Hal Dandridge, Frank Sanchez, James Wewer, Jim Phillips, Mike Richards and John Goble. Burial with military honors followed in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery of Waynesville. Military honors were provided by United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of CSM (Ret) Jack D. Butler to the American Diabetes Association of The Shriners Children Hospital and may be left at the funeral home.

CSM (Ret) Jack D. Butler

December 9, 1929 - March 18, 2016