Edgar "Butch" DeWayne Ethridge

Heaven received another angel on April 27, 2025. Edgar DeWayne (Butch) Ethridge peacefully passed from this life to the next surrounded by family. He was present in this life for 76 years, and 66 days. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ferris Hill Ethridge and Opal Geraldine (Garrett) Ethridge and sister Barbara Ethridge. He is survived by his wife Janet (Huseby) Ethridge, daughters Jennifer McQueen and husband Cody of Willow Park, Jill Unterbug and husband Marcelo of Lewisville, Sarah Beagles and husband Payne of Fort Worth and one sister Linda Oliver and husband Larry of Grapevine. Also surviving him are five marvelous grandsons who were the love of his life: Dax and Hayes McQueen, and Luca, Leo, and Milo Unterbug.

Butch was born in Fort Worth on February 19, 1949, at the Pennsylvania Avenue Hospital. He grew up in Colleyville with a childhood full of sports, friends and boyhood adventures too numerous to count. He joined the Army in October of 1968. He liked to recall that the population of Colleyville was 1,762 people when he left for basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. From there he went to Fort Devens in Ayre, Massachusetts where he would then be sent to Germany for 2 ½ years serving in the Army Security Agency. In his words, “I was in the military for three years, five months and three days, but who’s counting.” He proudly served his country reaching the level of Sergeant E5.

In May of 1975, he married his high school sweetheart and an adventure began that would span fifty years. On July 15, 1980, with a leap of faith, Ethridge Auto Center was opened for business in Colleyville. A legacy of honesty and integrity was launched that day and through years of demanding work and a fierce dedication to excellence in customer service, the business continues to thrive today as the second oldest business in Colleyville.

He was a driving force in the establishing and opening of Faith Christian School in Grapevine; and oh, how he loved to tell the story of how it came to be. He was also the person behind the return and restoration of “The Cottage” to its Worth Street location. It is lovingly known to many as the Homemaking Building of the Grapevine Public Schools.

There are too many accomplishments to list here. There was never a task too large or a job too complicated. To him, it was “a piece of cake” to work all day and drive the school bus at night to carry a bunch of kids to a sporting event. He could find a way to fix most anything. Those who knew him will miss his gentle spirit and his willingness to do the right thing. His list of friends is endless. One of his favorite sayings in business was “I can fix them, but I can’t make them new.” Well, God fixed him and made him new, and we rejoice together in the wonders of God and in knowing that Butch is in heaven waiting on us. One day we’ll hear the greeting, “Well, it’s about time! What took you so long!”

In lieu of flowers, the Ethridge family requests that donations be made to the Grapevine Faith Christian School Scholarship Endowment. As many know, Grapevine Faith was near and dear to Butch’s heart. As an essential member of the founding board, he was passionate about the mission and vision of Grapevine Faith as well as making Christian education available to all families. To donate, please visit www.grapevinefaith.com/giving, or click on the link below, and add a comment referencing Butch.