Edward James Butler, Jr.

Ed began his life in Denver, Colorado on February 6, 1949 to Edward and Catherine Butler. His family moved to Kansas City and established their roots to raise their family of four, Cathy (Jean), Ann, Ed, and Theresa in a beautiful home at 38th and Forest. Being the only boy he was not included in many of his sisters activities. But at times when they were playing paper dolls Ed would be allowed to be the elevator boy.

Ed’s life continued to go up from there. He knew life was more than being an elevator boy. So off to school he went. His education started at St. James Catholic Elementary school in 1955, graduated from high school at Rockhurst in 1967, received his Bachelor of Arts at Rockhurst University and his Masters in Public Administration from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. During these years as he gained knowledge he also established a strong base of friendships that have lasted many years. He was especially noted for being a “Clark Streeter” and was known as “Fast Eddy”.

Ed’s life took a fast turn as he got his “ducks on the pond”. First on base was his marriage in 1973 to Patty Lippert. Together they raised two daughters, Lynn and Kim. Now he had his ducks on the pond ready to score and win the game of life. His daughters were his “sweethearts”. One of his “hoops” in life was being the girls’ basketball coach in grade school at St. Thomas More School. Besides hitting the boards he also enjoyed hitting the dance floor with his daughters at the St. Thomas Aquinas High School Father Daughter dances. His focus was his family, providing love, support and making sure everyone had a good car to drive. He loved convertibles, being out in the sun, and his many cats. Life was “so great”.

Ed worked hard to provide for his family. He work mainly as a controller at Constar International and Graham Packaging Co. Ed’s greatest happiness and pride was crying like a baby when he walked his daughters down the aisle in marriage. Lynn married Jeff Auslander and together they have 4 children; Hailey, Max, Maddie and Anna. Kim married Greg Turner and together they have 3 children, Kacey, Hannah and Malaya, Greg’s daughter. Being a granddad was his greatest joy. He continued to expand his caring ways to his 7 grandchildren, and great granddaughter, Aria Turner.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Ann and Theresa, his father-in-law William Lippert and brother-in-law Bill Lippert. I’m sure they are all together now and enjoying a new life of peace and comfort.

Ed will be missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, his sister Cathy (Jean), in-laws and many nieces and nephews. As well as his cat, Misty who sat on Ed’s lap for hours while Ed would pet her and watch TV.

Thanks to Ed for being the best husband, father, brother, uncle, granddad and friend. We will never forget your kind soul.

The family offers a special thank you to the medical teams at Overland Park Regional Hospital and Menorah for their care and concerns with helping Ed to get to a better life.

Services will be held Friday, November 8, 2019 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Overland Park, KS. A visitation will be held from 9:30- 11:00 with a Mass immediately following. Please join the family for a luncheon following Mass at Holy Spirit to celebrate Ed’s life.