In Memory of Fallen Panthers

In memory of John S. Butler

1967-2001

#12

John S. Butler, 33, of Walnut Shade, died at 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2001, at Skaggs Community Health Center.  He was born Oct. 16, 1967, at Kansas City, MO., to Ronald M. and Margaret Butler.  He was vice president of Tom Boyce Excavating.  He was a Little League baseball coach at Branson.  Survivors include his wife, Cassandra, of the home; his parents, Ronald and Margaret Butler of Webb City, MO.; three sisters, Ronda Lung of Tucson, Ariz., Barbara Wilson of Ozark, MO., and Susan Touchton of Pittsburg; an uncle and many nieces and nephews.  Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hope Dale Baptist Church, Ozark, with Terry Kendrick officiating.  Burial will be at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson, under the direction of the Whelchel Funeral Chapel of Branson.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral chapel. 

(As appeared in The Morning Sun, Pittsburg, Kan., Monday, July 23, 2001)

Career Statistics

Year    AB   R  H   2B 3B  HR RBI  SB/SBA  SO    BB  HBP OB/OBA  PCT  Batting Avg.
1987   111  22  39    8    0     1    22     12/17       25     14     1      63/135     .467        .351
1988   131  33  53   11   2     5    32     21/23       23     17     3      77/156     .494        .405

Panther Accomplishments

Participated in 1988 Jayhawk Conference All-Star games and had 5 hits.
Held 3 Single Season and 5 Career Records.
Signed with Division 1 Northwestern Louisiana St. University
Named All-Conference as a Sophomore
Named Honorable Mention All-Region VI
A Member of the Panther Record Book
A Member of the Field of Fame
Had one of the greatest doubleheaders in Panther History
       8-9 with 5 Hr's and 16 RBI's

Comments

Head Coach Steve Murry on John: John Butler is one of the finest individuals I have ever had the privilege to coach, to coach with, and to call my friend. I personally had the pleasure of knowing John for 15 years.

As a player, he worked as hard as anyone has. He cared about his performance everyday. He never was satisfied. He truly got all he could out of his ability. He grew up more in two years than most do in 10.

As a coach, John got every player to feel at ease under my sometime gruff exterior. He had endured all the wrath as a player already. He made every player feel special with his Big Brother approach. Every player that ever played under him, has a positive spin of what life and the game are all about.

As a person, he was fun loving, witty, energetic and very positive. He was as dependable as they come, as fun to be around as anyone, and also as caring as they get. He honestly would give someone the shirt off  his back.

And finally, as my true friend, I will miss you very badly. I talked to you about once a month for 15 years. Every time you called- I smiled, remembering old times. You always made me laugh, whether it was a dumb joke or a made up story-I appreciated you every time. My wife and I both thought so much of you that we made you Zack and Mallori's Godfather. You wont be able to carry out those duties now but trust me buddy, our kids are being raised to have John Butler qualities. John, I will miss you greatly partner, but remember, it is not goodbye- it is only so long.