Buddy Butler

Visitation will be held at 10:00 am until 12:00 pm on Friday, June 14, 2019 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans followed by a brief memorial service. Burial for family will follow after the memorial service.

Buddy is preceded in death by his father, Edward F. Butler, Sr., his mother, Marie Geraci Butler, and his sister, Patricia Ann Bender. He is survived by his companion, Deborah Susan Byrd, his former wife, Virginia Gail Bartlett, and his three children, Edward Fuller ”Ted” Butler III, Virginia Kyle Kehoe, Michael Brennan Butler. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, Kate Kehoe, Claire Kehoe, Miles Kehoe, Jack Butler, Isabel Butler, and Brennan Butler.

Buddy was born in New Orleans on July 5, 1939. He attended Mater Dolorosa School and Alcee Fortier High School. He served as a radio operator in the Air Force Reserves, and later worked for Boeing on the Saturn Rocket program at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility. He graduated from Loyola University with honors with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Finance in 1970 while working full time.

During his career, Buddy was an executive trainee for National Bank of Commerce and ICB Bank. He served as President of First National Bank of St. Bernard Parish and later concurrently as President of Commercial Bank in Metairie, making him the first banker to serve simultaneously as president for two banks since Louisiana’s Reconstruction following the Civil War. Buddy later served as the Regional President of Louisiana for Regions Bank.

As an entrepreneur with a passion for food, Buddy was part owner of a Tastee Donuts franchise in New Orleans and the first Popeye’s franchise owner in Houston, along with his long-time business partner, close friend, and lunch buddy, Cliff Miller. He was also an investor in the 1984 New Orleans World’s Fair Italian Village restaurant, Trattoria Pastore.

Buddy credited much of his success to the mentorship he received throughout his career and believed in paying that mentorship forward. He also believed in surrounding himself with many talented people including is his invaluable assistant, Mary Ann Huerstel. He helped launch many careers in banking and business along the way and always encouraged people to work hard and take a chance. He enjoyed teaching and lectured for the FDIC in Washington, D.C. He also taught special courses about banking and finance at New Orleans public high schools, including Benjamin Franklin, and taught seminars at the LSU School of Banking.

Additionally, Buddy was extraordinarily active in the New Orleans community. He served on many boards including the Superdome Commission, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, the New Orleans Convention Center, the Contemporary Arts Center, and Ursuline Academy as the school board president from 1988-1992.

He was a member of the New Orleans Athletic Club and an original season ticket holder for his beloved New Orleans Saints. His love for New Orleans was second only to his love for his family.

Buddy treated everyone with dignity, compassion, and respect and was always quick-witted; he loved to share his sense of humor as a way to connect. He loved meeting new people and never met a stranger. He was loved by many and will be truly missed. He was a loyal, devoted family man who considered his children his best friends and loved and adored his children and grandchildren more than anything in the world.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Covenant House New Orleans

611 North Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA 70112 https://www.covenanthousenola.org/

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.