Joseph Franklin Butterworth

Joseph Franklin Butterworth, Jr., died peacefully on December 31, 2015, surrounded by family following an extended illness. He was 89 years old. He was born and raised in Baton Rouge and resided in Baton Rouge until 1981when he and his wife of 63 years, Adell Patch Butterworth, moved to Atascocita, TX. He and Adell moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2011 to be closer to their daughters and he resided there until his death. After graduation from Baton Rouge High School at 17 years old, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in both the Navy and the Naval Reserve. He was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserve in 1960 with a rank of Lt. J.G. In 1947, he graduated from LSU in only three years with a degree in chemical engineering. His entire career was spent with Exxon and affiliated companies. He retired from his position as manager of the Baytown, Texas Olefins Plant in 1986. His interests included sailing since his days in high school as a Sea Scout, golf, hunting and fishing. He was a member of Baytown Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris Award recipient, Sigma Chi Fraternity, Sons of the American Revolution, Atascocita Country Club, former member of Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, LA and charter member of Atascocita United Methodist Church, Atascocita, TX. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Adell Patch Butterworth, Atlanta, GA; his children: Sharon Butterworth Hermann and husband Paul D. Hermann, Atlanta, GA, and Beth Adell Butterworth, Decatur, GA (metropolitan Atlanta). He is also survived by three grandchildren: Dr. Emilia Adell Hermann, New York, NY; Joseph Paul Davis Hermann, Philadelphia, PA; and Anneliese Simmone Hermann, Atlanta, GA; and cousins: Dionne Brock and her husband John B. Brock III, Houston, TX. He is predeceased by: parents, Lura Miller Butterworth and Joseph Franklin Butterworth of Baton Rouge, LA; and cousins Betty Miller, New York, NY and Elbridge Charlton, Baton Rouge, LA. He will be remembered for his integrity, humor, love of the outdoors, devotion to family, and strong sense of civic and charitable responsibility. Special thanks to his caregivers for their loving support of him and his family during his illness. Services will be at Broadmoor United Methodist Church on Friday, January 8, 2016, at 10 am. with visitation at the church at 9:00 am. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park immediately following the service. If desired, contributions in his memory may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation or any charity of choice.