Thomas Butler, Jr.

Thomas Robert Butler, Jr, age 84, of Albert Lea, MN, died on Tuesday January 17, 2017 surrounded by his family in his home in Sun City, Arizona. Tom was born July 31, 1932 in Mankato, MN, to Thomas Robert Butler Sr, and Stella Josephine (Chambers) Butler. He married Barbara Ann (Lehman) Butler on May 13, 1967 in Austin, MN. Tom was a devoted father to Dawn (Butler) King, Tammy Butler, Rob Butler, Kimberly (Benjamin) Fryer, and honorary children Jini (Johann) Vethavanam. He cherished his grandchildren Mallory and Maxwell King; Madeline, Thomas, Emilee, John Butler; Natalie, Jessica, Isaac Weiland; Madeline and Noah Fryer; and honorary grandchildren Natasha and Samantha Vethavanam. Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Stella (Chambers) Butler, his Father Thomas R. Butler Sr, and his step-mother Genivieve “Girlie” (Landkammer) Butler, his sisters Mary Patricia (Butler) Holmstrom, Margaret Chambers (Butler) Delfosse, his grandson Benjamin Weiland. Tom was a graduate of Mankato High School, class of 1950. He went on to complete his Political Science degree at St. Thomas College in 1954. On the advice of one of his uncles, Tom went to the University of Minnesota where he obtained his law degree in 1957. From there he moved to Albert Lea to practice law until August 1, 1977. At that time he was appointed to County Court Judge in Freeborn County, later becoming a District Court Judge until his retirement on July 31, 1997. Tom was an active member of his church and community. He was a member of St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Albert Lea for 60 years. Tom served as a lector and was Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Tom was a member of the JCs, Elks Club, past president of the Lions Club, Chair of the Albert Lea School Board, and Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America. Tom and Barb also participated in philanthropic activities in Albert Lea including the Art Center, United Way and the Riverland Scholarship Foundation. Tom volunteered for the City of Albert Lea in sanitation and recycling. His favorite pastimes were golf, reading, gardening, and first and foremost his family. Tom enjoyed watching the Vikings, socializing with his amazing friends, his best friend Barbara, and a Bushmill’s neat. There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Tom, Saturday February 4th at 3 p.m. in the Lakeview Recreation Center Pavillion. We will also be having a Memorial Service in Albert Lea in the Spring on May 5, 2017 at 11:00, St Theodore's Catholic Church in Albert Lea, MN Please send any memorials to the Albert Lea Art Center, St. Theodore’s Catholic Church and Riverland Scholarship Foundation.