Jerry Lynn Butler

Richford, VT / Albion, IN - Jerry L. Butler passed away Saturday November 23, at his home in Richford after a long, painful illness.

Jerry was born on November 20, 1940 in Albion, Indiana. He grew up at Skinner Lake and loved to swim, earning him the nickname Fino which his high school buddies would still call him to this day. He graduated from Albion High School in 1958 and went into the Marine Corps. He served his country from 1958-1968 during which time he was bitten by a tarantula while stationed in California, shared a sleeping bag with a snake, broke his arm when a sniper tower he was in collapsed, and fought hard for our Country in the Vietnam War. He was extremely proud of being a Marine and retained all of his military qualities until the end of his life. When you saw Jerry, you would see him wearing his Vietnam Veteran hat most of the time. He would always stand during the parade to applaud his fellow brothers in service as they marched by.

Jerry has held many jobs throughout his life, there is pretty much nothing he hasnt tried and he was good at everything he did. Upon returning home from the war, Jerry became employed with the Norfolk and Western Railroad in Fort Wayne, Indiana as a Fireman and Engineer. Driving was a passion of his, as he loved to be on the road. He held several jobs driving anything from a dump truck, to semi, to hauling travel trailers straight off the assembly line in Ohio to dealerships all over the United States. After moving to Vermont, he worked for the State of Vermont Department of Corrections for many years, where the guys called him Batman because of his trademark long eyebrows that everyone knew him by. He drove an armored truck full of money for Berkshire Armored Car, there were always interesting stories about his trips, especially the time that they lost an entire bag of dimes on the Shelburne Road in Burlingtonthey recovered every dime but one. Working for MVM Security at the Tabor building in St. Albans is where he became a hero one day for saving the life of a woman that was having a heart attack. When the walking became too hard for him to do, he drove bus for GMTA and then drove people to medical appointments for Medicaid Transport and Ready To Go.

Before he became ill, he used to love to hunt and fish up in the mountains around Montgomery, East Richford and Jay. Never got himself a deer, but he enjoyed the quiet, the nature and just being out in the woods. During one bear season he did get one and was very proud of it, even though it was smallhe had it mounted and named him Bruin. He would also go jeepin with his maroon CJ-7 which he named My Toy up in those same mountains on weekends with some of his buddies from the correctional center from logging trails to rivers, the went through it all.

Jerry had the biggest heart and was always willing to help out those in need. He would give you the shirt off his back or the last $5 in his wallet. Always stopping to help if someone were stranded on the roadside or to help if there had been an accident on the highway, he was a hero in more ways than one. He had a heck of a temper though and you never wanted to be on his bad side, because he would speak his mind no matter what was on it. Thats the Butler in him.

Family was so important to Jerry and he always said you do for your family and whatever in his power he could do to help any of them out - he always did. Whether it was in Vermont or Indiana. He loved all of his children, grand-children and great-grandchildren so very much and was so proud of them all.

Jerry touched many lives throughout his time in this world. He is no longer suffering or in pain. The scent of his Wild Country cologne, the unique sound of his cowboy boots on the floor with his uneven gate and the jangle of his keys will never be heard again - but he will forever be in our minds and hearts.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 36 years, Judy (Broe) Butler, his daughter, Lorie Tipsord and her husband Bob of Fort Wayne, Indiana - his son, Joe Butler of Kendallville, Indiana - his daughter Leshia Elkins and her partner Jeff Jewett of Richford, VT - his son Kenneth Lagro of Colchester, VT - his son David Lagro of Richford, VT and his daughter Jerrie-Jo Barkley and her husband Adam of Richford, VT - his honorary Daughter Lisa Bergeron and her husband Tom of Enosburg, VT - his 20 grandchildren Anna, Travis, Lindsey, Christian, Stana, Jesse, Brittany, Josh, Joey, Jacob, Jeremiah, Ben, Caleb, Jordan, Kieran, Lucas, Cole, Alison, Lacie, Tabor and also 13 great-grand children. He is also survived by his sister Anna-Mame Scott of Dayton, Ohio. Jerry will also leave behind several nieces and nephews. His nieces Dina, Robin and Angie all of Fort Wayne, IN were very dear to his heart. Jerry is pre-deceased by his son John (1988), his brother Jim (2012), his mother Clara Jane Peg McNeal and his father Walter Lloyd Jim Butler.

In keeping with Jerrys wishes, there will be no funeral service or viewing hours, but he did want all of those who wanted to say goodbye and celebrate his life to gather at the American Legion in Richford. The family will be holding this memorial gathering on Saturday November 30th at the American Legion in Richford from 3-5pm. Please join them for Jerrys last OO-RAH !

For those who wish, memorial contributions in Jerrys memory may be made to the Richford American Legion Post #12, 35 River St., Richford, VT 05476.