Donald Arthur Butts

A Life of Family, God, and Music

Donald A. Butts, a thirty-five-year resident of Bullhead City/Lake Havasu, Arizona, passed away September 19, at 93 years young. Don was born December 28, 1931, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Walter and Norma Butts.

Don attended Saginaw schools, in 1950 graduated from Arthur Hill High School, where he excelled in sciences and the passion that would identify him the rest of his life, his violin. His talent won him lead chairs in the Saginaw and in Lake Havasu Symphonies. His "fiddle" delighted other audiences with toe-tapping songs like "Turkey in The Straw", and it is said that

when Don played his violin in church, the sweet sounds brought tears to many eyes. In later years he played a Bluegrass Banjo, and he, along with other gifted musicians, entertained at Bullhead City's finest bars and restaurants, for beer.

After high school graduation, Don enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and was stationed in Roswell, New Mexico, during the Korean War. After completion of his service, he returned to Saginaw to work in the Saginaw Steering Gear Engineering Department. His time at Steering Gear won him two life achievements: several patents and a bride, Patricia Ahrens.

In 1969, Don and Pat, in partnership with his sister Sally and husband Bob Zahnow, purchased a fishing resort, Northernaire, on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada. They so enjoyed this tremendous lifestyle change in the tourist business that they continued hosting a multitude of guests for twenty years. Since the resort was seasonal, it left time for the

other pursuits Don loved: hunting, fishing, curling, woodworking, and volunteering with the local ambulance service.

Selling the Resort in 1988, Pat and Don retired to the warmer climate of Arizona. After Pat's passing in 2013, Don met Karen Barnes, and he continued to live and love for his final twelve years.

Don had another talent, that for making friendships and for fitting into his new communities. He was a man with a keen sense of humor, a big heart, and a kind soul. A man who could be counted on in any situation. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.