Thomas  Butler

Obituary of Thomas J Butler

On Friday, November 29, 2019, Thomas J. Butler, loving husband and father of three children, passed away peacefully at the age of 85.  He was born in Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania, to H. Gerald and Margaret Butler.

 

Tom graduated from Bradford High School, Bradford, Pennsylvania.  He received an advanced degree in architecture from Pennsylvania State University and was President of his fraternity, Alpha Rho Chi, and Vice President of Pi Alpha Gamma. 

 

After graduating from Penn State in 1957, Tom wanted to see other parts of the United States so he drove solo across the country.  Following his service in the United States Army, he married Susan Meredith, and they had three children.

 

Tom was employed by architectural firms in Pennsylvania, Arizona, California and Washington.  He established his firm in 1971 with college classmate, Roger Rue.  Their firm specialized in the design of educational facilities in 28 school districts in Washington state and earned several awards.  Their firm’s expertise also included industrial and residential architectural services and public facility design, sports complexes, extensive modernization, and long-range facility programming.

 

Tom was a member of the American Institute of Architects, served on the Facilities Committee of Goodwill Industries, a former member of Tacoma Rotary 8, and a lifetime member of the Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) and a supporter of many charities.

 

Tom had a passion for fly fishing the rivers of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Canada.  He loved to sketch and paint with watercolors.  Other hobbies were building and flying free-flight model airplanes; bird hunting with son, Jim; hiking and biking.  He enjoyed having family and friends over and winning the croquet games he challenged everyone to.  He also loved all of his Labrador Retrievers — always black males.

 

In 1986, Tom met Diane, and they were married in September of 1988.  He spent the rest of his life living in Lakewood in the house he designed and where he eventually passed.

 

Tom and Diane enjoyed travel experiences in Canada, New Zealand, Africa and many European countries, as well as numerous trips in the states.

 

Tom was known for his quick wit, an infectious smile, great sense of humor and his kind and compassionate character.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

 

Tom was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Diane; son, Stephen; daughter, Amy Camden (Ed); son, James; grandsons, Woodbury (Chip) and Tanner Perkins; sister, Ann Brett of Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

 

The family wishes to thank Franciscan Hospice and those caregivers who came to know Tom in his last months.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CHI Franciscan Hospice, www.chifranciscan.org/franciscanfoundation or The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, www.alzinfo.org.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, January 11, 2020, at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club, Lakewood, WA.

 

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A Memorial Tree was planted for Thomas
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Edwards Memorial | University Place