Carole Ann Butler

Carole Ann Butler, a former Olympic figure skater and co-founder of a prominent Central California construction and investment firm, went home to be with the Lord on May 1, 2025, in Fresno, Calif. She was 88.

A native of Fresno, Carole Ann Ormaca was born on June 2, 1936, to Dominique and Anna (Klein) Ormaca.

Her early life was marked by academic and artistic pursuits, including ballet, which served as a foundation for her later success in figure skating. A chance visit to a local skating rink led to a natural transition from the dance floor to the ice, setting in motion a distinguished athletic career.

She joined the local skating club and soon partnered with Robin Greiner. Together, they became a formidable pair in amateur figure skating. In their first year of competition, they swept the California State, Pacific Coast, and U.S. National Championships — a meteoric rise from a region better known for sunshine than ice.

The duo would dominate American pair skating for four years, winning the gold medal at the United States Figure Skating Championships four straight times, beginning in 1953. They also placed fourth at the World Figure Skating Championships three times and finished in fifth place at the 1956 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. She was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 1966.

After retiring from competition, Carole attended Fresno State College and embraced family life with her husband, Thomas R. Butler, whom she married in 1957. She devoted herself to raising their three sons and, alongside Tom, co-founded Butler Investment Group, LLC, and Thomas R. Butler, Inc., a construction company that remains family-run into its third generation.

Her athleticism never waned. In 1986, she landed in the record books once more — this time for reeling in a world-record tarpon off the coast of Key West.

Beyond her accomplishments, Carole led a life of adventure and devotion. She found joy in travel, motorhome camping, snowmobiling under moonlight, and spending time at the family’s cabin at Huntington Lake. She cherished long vacations in Mulegé, Baja California, with Tom, and proudly cheered on Fresno State football and basketball, as well as her grandchildren’s athletic pursuits.

A woman of faith, she was a long-time member of New Covenant Community Church in Fresno and active in the Los Rancheros Guild.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Thomas R. Butler, and her parents, Dominique and Anna Ormaca. She is survived by her sons, Scott (Karen), Greg (Lisa), and Stephen (Taunya); seven grandchildren — Ashley (Matt King), Ryan (Ali), Jordan (Sara), Natalie (Todd Timmons), Hannah (Jake Davis), Michael (Breena), and David — and seven great-grandchildren: Brayden, Brooks, Halston, Jakobi, Lainey, Hadessa, and Daniel.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025, at New Covenant Community Church, 1744 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, Calif. at 11:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Cancer Institute for Cancer Care and Equipment. Contributions can be sent to the CHS Office of Philanthropy, 1530 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 160, Fresno, CA 93710 (Tax ID: 77-0191730).