Larry J Butler

In the early morning hours of Mother's Day, Sunday, May 14, 2017, Larry Butler passed away peacefully at the age of 85, surrounded by his loved ones. Larry was best known within the community as a country songwriter and musician, whose roots traced back to his hometown of Belton, Texas, where, starting in the 1950s, his ascension to the Texas music legend known as the “Country Gentlemen” from Cut-N-Shoot, Texas began. In a career that spanned over 60 years, where he played countless shows with country music's best known stars, his music touched all those who heard it, because Larry Butler, above all else, played for the love of the music and the crowds who came to hear it. Larry entertained his fans until the very end, playing a show with one of his oldest friends, Willie Nelson, to a packed theater just weeks before his death. Larry's music was only outdone by his contagious smile and Texas-sized generosity that he shared with everyone from all walks of life. But beyond his music, Larry's proudest legacy is the family he and his wife of 56 years established. They include his three daughters Tammy Sklar and husband Ricky; Tina Martin and husband Wayne; Teresa Butler and fiancé John Youngblood, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was also survived by his brother Roy Lee Butler, sister Billie Kirkley, and sister-in-law Rita Jones. Larry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pat Butler, son Larry Joe, his father Leander, mother Eula Mae, brothers LB and LC, and sisters Wanda Reynolds and Shirley Smith Moon. Visitation will be on Friday, May 19, 2017 at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church in Conroe, Texas. The funeral service will follow, beginning at 12:00pm. The graveside service will be directly after the funeral service in Garden Park Cemetery in Conroe, Texas. Pallbearers will be Steve Anderson, Jack Green, Dugan Puckett, Teddy Barnard, Katlin Jeffcoat, Gary Nelson, Travis Forehand, Bryan Trotter and Joseph Butler