James Turner Butler, age 89, passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2021 in the Covenant Care Unit of Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Fl. He was born December 13, 1932 in Arcadia Fl. to John Turner and Katie Lee Johnson Butler and was the oldest of seven children.
James was an avid dobro player and played in several bluegrass bands, one of which was The Panhandle Express which was well known in Fl, Al, and GA and produced several CDs. James won the State of GA dobro picking championship 3 times. After graduating from Flomaton High School, where he was an outstanding football and basketball player, he attended Pensacola Jr. College and University of West Florida. He worked at Chemstrand/Monsanto for many years and later became a teacher at Gulf Breeze Middle School. James served in the US Army for 2 years and was a combat veteran in the Korean War.
James was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Helen Fredrickson Butler, daughter Cheryl Butler Miller, his parents and 2 sisters, Doris Lee Butler and Carol Butler Farish, 3 special brother-in-laws, Buddy Farish, Leon Pierce and Dale Findley, and one beloved nephew, Randy Pierce. He is survived by sons, Mike (Cheryl) Butler and Blane (Sharon Berry) Butler both of Pensacola, FL, grandchildren, Alex and Angeline Miller of Pineview, Marie Butler Bedsole of Pineview, brother, Guin (Sue) Butler of Union Springs, AL, sisters, Wilma Jean Pierce of Wetumpka, Al, Nell (Ed) Richburg and Elvennia Findley of Flomaton, AL, 14 Nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Friday, April 23 at the Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home in Pensacola at 11:30am, visitation for family at 10:00-10:30, and for friends and public at 10:30-11:30. Burial will be at Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors.
The family would like to thank the Progressive Care Unit and Covenant Care Unit of Sacred Heart Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care while James was a patient there.
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