Samuel Butts Jr.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Samuel Butts, Jr., on December 14, 2025, at the age of 78. Right up to his last days, Sam was known for his love of flowers and birds. The yard of his residence reflected this, as he cultivated a variety of colored blossoms all year round. He often allowed others to cut roses and other flowers from his garden to give as gifts. From his chair on the porch, he talked to the birds and bees every day, and it was not unusual for some winged friends to come close or enjoy the bird bath nearby. The day before his passing, Sam rode his scooter over to where he could feed the ducks as he often did.

Sam began his life on February 8, 1947, in Elmira, NY. Raised by his parents, Samuel Butts, Jr. and Marion (Johnson) Butts, Sam was survived by three brothers, Mike, Dave, and Larry, and five sisters, Mary Louise, Geraldine, Eddie, Peggy, and Judy. Sam had four sons, Samuel IV, John, Tracy, and Bill. Upon marrying Linda, her son Joe and daughter Janice were added to his family. Sam was preceded in death by his parents and his sons, John and Joe.

Sam met Linda in November, and after a whirlwind romance, they married on December 22, 1979. It was a glorious 46 years. Over time, their family tree grew, and together they had eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Sam made friends easily with neighbors. Because of his friendly manner and willingness to lend a hand, other neighborhood kids frequently asked him to be their “Grandpa Sam.”

When Sam helped neighbors with projects, he was known to charge a dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies or three lovely tomatoes, two of his very favorite things to eat.

Just one year into their marriage, Sam and Linda moved to Fairbanks, AK, for a fresh start on their own with daughter Janice.

Sam was an aeronautics machinist before their move, but without that industry in Alaska, he used his mechanical skills to become an expert at residential and commercial appliance repair.

Sam loved outdoor sports; many youngsters have fond memories of snowmachining with him. Sam was inventive and creative. One example of this was his creation of a wooden sled in the shape of a snowmachine, on which he gave rides to his grandchildren by pulling it behind his snowmachine along the property's trails. In the summers, four-wheeling replaced snowmachining.

When Linda was away on business trips, Sam would enlist Janice or others’ help to build or renovate something around the house. Sam also loved taking his children, grandchildren, and friends to the harbor in Valdez, AK, for terrific salmon and halibut fishing via his cabin cruiser. He always wanted others to enjoy his enthusiasm for the sport.

Sam loved to snack. Some favorites were Cheez Whiz and crackers or homemade donuts. He was considered smart and funny. Many people will be grateful for what he taught them.

Retiring early for health reasons, Sam and his wife moved to Sun City, AZ, in 2001. They later relocated to Guthrie, OK, in 2004. From there, Sam and Linda shared a once-in-a-lifetime experience with two of their grandchildren, taking them on a tour of the US in their motorhome. They traveled from AZ to FL and up to NY, visiting family along the way. Sam and Linda moved back to Arizona from Oklahoma, purchasing a home in Maricopa in 2011, and moved to their final residence in Phoenix, AZ in 2017. They met and married in Phoenix and returned to Phoenix for Sam’s final years.

Sam was known for his generosity, often giving a gift to anyone who visited their home, whether a gadget he’d discovered at the hardware store, a bakery treat from the grocery store, or something he picked out especially for an expected visitor. Sometimes Sam gave from behind the scenes and out of the public eye. His generosity extended to a homeless encampment he occasionally visited. His concern for the well-being of the individuals there prompted him to give practical items such as food, umbrellas, flashlights, clothing, or tarps.

Sam will be missed as a beloved Husband, Father, Grandpa, Brother, and Neighbor. Honoring Sam’s wishes to be cremated and his ashes spread by Linda, no services will be held. However, his legacy will live on through his family and loved ones.