John Taylor Butler

BUTLER, John Taylor, passed away on June 1, 2010 in Nashville, TN and saw the face of God. John was born in Gainsboro, TN (Jackson County) on August 9, 1922. Survived by wife, Judith (Judi) Dorris Butler, three sons Michael L. Butler (Patty), John Woody Butler, and Ben B. Butler all of Old Hickory and Nashville. He has four grandchildren, Lyndsey Butler, Lance Butler (Megan), Amy Richardson, Evan Taylor Butler; and five great-grandchildren. John attended Gainsboro High School, was President of his Junior Class and lettered 3 years in football and basketball. In 1941, he was on the All Undefeated Gainsboro Football Team and was a regular in football and basketball teams his Freshman year. He was also on the Upper Cumberland Champion Team in 1942; All Conference team and one of 3 team members to receive this honor. His Junior year, John was offered a scholarship to Carthage High, but he decided to remain in Gainsboro and play where he lived. He was also offered a football scholarship his Senior year to play at Tennessee Technological University. Instead he volunteered for WWII, Coast Guard, and served in the Pacific Theatre. After the war John attended Murfreesboro State University where he received his BS degree and his Masters from Peabody College. John was Football, Basketball and Softball Coach at Antioch High School and taught History and Biology. He was Coach of the Year (1955 – 56), his first year at Antioch. John left coaching and went to work for Associates Finance and for a short period and owned several finance companies. John later sold automobiles for three years and was top salesman everywhere he worked. John left the automobile industry and worked as Counselor for the State of Tennessee, Division of Alcohol and Drugs; and was Executive Director on the Governor’s Committee for Promotion of the Handicapped 1975 – 79. John implemented the first Miss Tennessee Wheelchair Pageant in Tennessee. John later became Register of Davidson County and was very active in local politics for many years. He was, also, a 32 degree Mason and Shrine. John was a member of Tulip Grove Baptist Church for twenty-three years and an Honorary member of the Agape Sunday School Class. Funeral services will be conducted 10:00 a.m. Friday at Hermitage Funeral Home with Dr. Ken Clayton officiating. A private burial will be at Smartt Station, TN at the Garden of Memories on Friday 4th with Charles Craven officiating. Visitation with the family will be Thursday 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Hermitage Funeral Home, 535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, TN 37138, (615) 889-0361.