James "Jim" D. Butts

James D. “Jim” Butts passed from this earth on November 6, 2024, after bravely enduring the effects of PSP. The son of Mylus L. and Iris J Kirkendall Butts, Jim was born in Enid, Oklahoma, on December 2, 1946, where he lived until moving to Shattuck, Ok, at the age of three. Jim learned to work hard in the family business and that work ethic continued throughout his career.

Jim referred to Shattuck as God’s Country and enjoyed the many perks of small-town life. He played football, basketball, and baseball and enjoyed lifeguarding at the city pool and later co-managing the pool with his older brother, Monty. He attended Oklahoma State University and graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where he met his wife Patti when she was offered the opportunity to teach a Speech I class as a junior, under the supervision of the department head. Jim was a student in the class, and he had fun telling the story.

He was incredibly proud when son Ryan was born and supported his many interests. Always a sports enthusiast, Jim became an avid OU fan when Ryan opted for the University of Oklahoma. He both “coached” and cheered from his seats at football and men’s basketball games.

Jim loved the outdoors and was fond of saying, “A bad day of fishing is better that a good day of most things.” He was a huge fan of fly fishing and looked forward to trips to Breckenridge, Vail, and Fair Play, Colorado, especially if Ryan and his best fishing buddy Bill Hancock could join him. After retirement, he discovered gardening and proudly showed off his three large, raised vegetable beds and the hobby greenhouse. Picking lemons and limes gave him great pleasure.

He was a dedicated employee of Bridgestone Americas (Firestone) for forty-four years and worked long hours. He began as a protegee in their JET program and stayed loyal to the company, even when offered other jobs. He enjoyed mentoring young employees and watching them succeed. Jim won many awards and trips during his years in Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana. At retirement, he was managing 32 company stores.

A longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Edmond and most recently, Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, Jim had deep faith and insisted on standing for every prayer and hymn, even when it required immense effort as his condition progressed. He drew strength from his faith and was grateful for the Promise of Heaven.

Perhaps his greatest joy was his son Ryan, daughter-in-law Casey, and grandsons Ford and Luke. Watching the boys pick tomatoes and release ladybugs in the garden were favorite events.

Jim is predeceased by his parents; brother Monty; Patti’s parents, Harry and Irene Coleman; brother-in-law, Bill Coleman; and sister-in-law, Susan Coleman Small.

In addition to Ryan and family of Nichols Hills, Jim is survived by wife Patti of Oklahoma City, sister-in-law Jane Butts of Tulsa, niece Tiffany Culver and family of Tulsa, niece Kimberly Butts of Tulsa, nephew Matt Butts and family of Houston, nephew Chris Small of El Reno, and nephew Dorian Small and son Desmond of Norman.

A Celebration of James’s life will be Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 3:30 pm at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors with a reception following the service.