John William Butts was born to William “Bill” Butts and Kathryn Butts in San Antonio, Texas, on June 14, 1949. He passed away at age 72 on April 26, 2022, at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.
His father took the family to an Air Force duty assignment at Yakota Air Force Base, Japan, in 1960. There, through Kanto Plains Baptist Church, John and the family made lifetime friends with whom were shared regular reunions. John attended Johnson High School on base until 1965, returning to Texas to graduate from Robert E. Lee High School, San Antonio, in 1967.
John was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving from 1968-1971, stationed in Karamursel, Turkey and Misawa, Japan. Upon completing his tour of duty, he eventually worked as a Gas Controller forty years, starting with Valero Energy and ending with Enterprise Products.
He met the love of his life at Shearer Hills Baptist Church, marrying Melissa Marlene Estes on July 15, 1978, sharing forty-three years of marriage with her while raising their two sons.
John enjoyed sports all his life, starting with Little League baseball in Japan, football and snow skiing later during his Air Force days in Japan and Turkey, and adult softball leagues in San Antonio. He coached church youth basketball and softball and taught his son Kyle to play tournament golf.
John was a loving husband, wonderful father, proud grandfather, caring brother, friend, and devoted follower of Christ. He was a charter member of Shearer Hills Baptist Church where he was a teacher, choir member and participant in several productions of the Living Last Supper.
John was preceded in death by his parents, William and Kathryn Butts. He is survived by wife, Melissa; two sons, Eric (April) Butts and Kyle Butts; grandson Albus Joseph Butts; sister Martha (Mike) Fleming; nephew Atkins (Erica) Fleming; and grandniece Mattie Fleming.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 2, 10:00am-2:00pm, Alamo City Church, 6500 IH 35 N, San Antonio.
Funeral service will be held Friday, June 3, 11:30am, reception following, Shearer Hills Baptist Church, 12615 San Pedro, San Antonio.
Military Honors and Burial are at 1:45 p.m., Fort Sam Houston, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio.
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