Dean Butler was born at home on his parent’s farm in the vicinity of Matheson, Colorado on June 4, 1929. He spent his childhood and teenage years working side by side on the family farms with his siblings and parents. He graduated from Calhan High School in 1947. He had six siblings; Virgil Butler (Barbara), Ward Butler (Junia); Norma Butler Carter (Richard); Kenneth Butler (Catherine and Louise); Roxy Ann Butler Hess (John); Joyce Butler Goldsmith (Harry).
On January 6, 1953, Dean was united in marriage to his loving wife, Juanita (Heaston) Butler. They celebrated 67 years of marriage on January 6, 2020. Dean enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1956. When he had finished his enlistment in the Air Force, Dean and Juanita returned to Colorado. Dean accepted his parents’ invitation to manage the family farm south of Calhan. He also worked a full time job at Aircraft Mechanics, Inc. in Colorado Springs. When Jessie and Alice decided to sell the farm a few years later, Dean and Juanita bought a ranch west of Lake George.
Dean continued to work a second job to help pay for the ranch and to pursue his goal of having a herd of 100 beef cows. During the six years in the mountains his day job was working for the US Forest Service. In 1967 they sold the mountain ranch and bought the family farm west of Rocky Ford which became home for the next 29 years. Farming and ranching were his sole occupation in Rocky Ford with a farrow to finish swine operation added to the mix of cattle and crops. They sold the farm in 1996 and retired to Colorado City where they remained until Dean fell and broke his hip in 2018. During retirement Dean and Juanita were active members of Valley Community Church in Colorado City. Dean’s hobby was woodworking and he blessed his children and grandchildren with many handcrafted items. They also made scores of visits to see family and be involved in their grandchildren’s lives wherever they lived around the world.
Dean was preceded in death by daughter, Gwen and parents Jessie and Alice. He is survived by his wife, Juanita, sons: Doug (Julie); Steve (Kathy); Jeff (Cindi); and grandchildren: Breanne; Zachery (Heidi); Joshua (Jackie); Jeremy; Nate; Sam; Caleb; Seth; Danielle; Trenton; Gavin; Gwynn Butler Mertz (Kevin); Allie; Sarah; Matt and Axel.
Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org/donate.
Visitation will be Thursday 4-6 pm Memorial Gardens Chapel, funeral service Saturday 10:00 am, Living Hope Church, 640 Manitou Blvd., Colorado Springs; Interment Memorial Gardens.
