Michael James Butler, Jr.
(1946 - 2014)

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General Details

Name:	Mr Michael James Butler, Jr.
Maiden Name:	Butler
Gender:	Male
Age:	68 years old
Lived:	Wednesday, 6 March 1946 - Saturday, 28 June 2014

My Story

Have you ever noticed a person who seems interested in you, not for a particular reason or because they want something from you, but genuinely interested in you and who you are.

They want to help you simply because to them, it seems the right thing to do. Perhaps they might to talk to you about a problem you might be struggling with, and guide you towards some possible options or resolutions . Or, maybe they might seem to sense you are just a little lonely, and might want to talk to another person who will listen and be sincerely concerned with what you have to say.

He might show up at your doorstep, wanting to fix your toilet leak, or that annoying noise your "whatchamacallit" is making, often without even charging you anything for his time or the supplies.

If you met Mike Butler, you undoubtedly recognize he was just that sort of person.

A bear of a man, Mike did not look the type you necessarily wanted as a neighbor - or even as a friend. With a full "scraggly" beard and a seemingly endless number of hats that he and his friends could laugh about and even wear, Mike cut a path that others just felt inclined to follow, because they sensed his good, old fashioned desire to be wherever you might need him. He readily shared his zeal for his beliefs. He was a deeply religious man. It would be difficult to find any locals on Orcas whose life was not touched by him.

Mike was born to loving parents; his mother, a New Zealand war bride, his father a dedicated career Army Captain. He was an Army brat as the young family followed the assigned Army posts.

When his father retired, the family settled in southern California. Mike was well accustomed to being an athlete as well. Voted MVP for Cross Country Track, he graduated from Fullerton Union High School in the early 1960's, and went on to attend California State University, Fullerton, majoring in English.

He was drafted into the United States Army at the age of 20, finished Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training in Infantry, and then something very unusual happened: Mike's attitude and attention to detail was noted and he was trained and served as a Drill Instructor for new recruits. After serving briefly in that capacity he was assigned overseas to Hohenfels, Germany in 1967 and became a News Writer/Reporter and was often published in Stars and Stripes News. He served as the Base Commanders Public Information and Media Officer and photographer as well.

When Mike's time in the Army was complete, his civilian life was quite different from the military life he had been used to. He became a Music Roadie for several rock bands, including the Beach Boys and Birtha, an all girl rock band his sister was a member of.

Soon he was settled in Orange County, California and was employed as a Machine Shop Maintenance employee, and later as an Electrician at Biola College.

He found his way to Orcas Island and felt he had found his lifetime home. He was the "Go-To" guy for home and business repair, a multi talented handyman, locksmith and Property Manager. He assisted as a Volunteer Medic for the community. He was also a talented recycled-artist, and his legacy can be seen today in the many unique signs on Orcas Island. On June 28, 2014, Mike succumbed to health issues that were terminal. He was 68.

He is survived by five siblings: brother Chris Butler of Orcas Island, sisters Rosemary Butler of Sherman Oaks, Elizabeth Petersen of Whittier, Virginia Butler of Lake Forest and Barbara and Jim Bratton of Hesperia, California. He is interred at Olga Doe Bay Cemetery in Olga, Washington on Orcas Island.

But what Mike Butler was most known for was his ability to be a visionary, confidante, trusted neighbor and loyal friend. He will be deeply missed by many.

Latest Tributes

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From: gangel2u

repair, a multi talented handyman, locksmith and Property Manager. He assisted as a Volunteer Medic for the community...

From: gangel2u

in Infantry, and then something very unusual happened: Mikes attitude and attention to detail was noted and he was tr...

From: gangel2u

and a seemingly endless number of hats that he and his friends could laugh about and even wear, Mike cut a path that ...

From: gangel2u

Have you ever noticed a person who seems interested in you, not for a particular reason or because they want somethin...

Biography

Fathers Name:	Michael J Butler, Sr.
Mothers Name:	Nita M.Butler
Siblings Names:	Rosemary, Chris, Virginia, Elizabeth and Barbara
Country of Birth:	USA
Country of Residence:	USA
City of Residence:	Olga, Washington