Jim was born July 26, 1937, in Middletown, Ohio. He graduated from Middletown High School in 1955 and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Ohio University in 1959. He became a radio disc jockey at WONE in Dayton from 1959 to 1962 where he perfected his James Earl Jones-like voice.
Jim left radio and got his teaching certificate in 1963 and became the English, Speech and Drama teacher at Middletown High School in 1964. Early in his teaching career, he created the Drama I and Drama II curriculum which eventually were approved by the State of Ohio as credit-worthy courses for high school students. While at Middletown High School, Jim conceived and brought to fruition the Mask Awards in 1967. Jim director, along with his life-long best friend and co-worker, Ron Fetzer stage craft, set the standard for theater in the region with the vision and design of the Middletown High School theater constructed in 1970. The two of them also founded Summer Youth Theater in 1969. Jim retired from Middletown High School after 20 years of service.
After getting his Diaconal Ministry Degree from the United Theological Seminary in the mid-80s, Jim returned to teaching speech and drama, but at Kettering-Fairmont High School in Dayton where his tenure covered more than a decade. Jim also coached the National Forensic League teams while at MHS and KFHS.
Jim directed over 200 plays, musicals and one-acts during his career for Middletown High School, Kettering-Fairmont High School, Middletown Lyric Theater, The Community Players and Christ United Methodist Church, the last of which was the musical Cotton Patch Gospel the story of the life of Jesus set to bluegrass music, which was performed at Christ United Methodist Church in 2007.
Jim was a life-long member at Christ United Methodist Church where he served as choir director for over 30 years and directed the annual Good Friday Service which was a dramatic mime-acted portrayal of the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus narrated by him as only he could do. He also taught Sunday School for adults from 1964 to 2010 and served on numerous committees throughout his lifetime.
Jim is survived by his ex-wife Lois Butch, his 3 children Joel Butch Adrienne, Jodi Riddle Bill and Jason Butch Tina, his 11 grandchildren, Taylor Butch, Billy Riddle Kim, Timmy Butch, Amanda Butch, Morgan Briggs Taylor, Jerid Riddle, Jordan Hall, Nick Butch, Nicklas Squire, Landen Butch, Stella Butch, and 1 great-grandchild, Jayce Briggs.
A memorial service will take place at Christ United Methodist Church, 700 S. Marshall Road, Middletown, Ohio, at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2014. The service will be preceded by a visitation at 11:00 a.m. and followed by a fellowship meal at the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Middletown Lyric Theater, P.O. Box 1656, Middletown, OH 45042.
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