Larry Jack Buttler

Larry Jack Buttler, 84, stepped into God’s Glory on May 4, 2024 after an eight year battle with dementia. His body and his mind are now fully healed. Amen. Throughout his illness he remained kind, loving and maintained much of his sense of humor. As part of the disease, aphasia often robbed him of the ability to find the right words, but his smile, his eyes and his touch continued to say what was important. As things began to change in his world, he worked hard to maintain what he could control and continued to enjoy life. Much of that enjoyment came from his participation in the Lighthouse Respite Program at Riverbend Church. He was at home surrounded by love and caring hands as he passed from this life.

In 1957, after graduating from Carrizo Springs High School, Larry took a summer job with the Highway Department before starting college at Southwest Texas Junior College. He worked two more summers before transferring to the University of Texas in 1959. Before coming to Austin, he reached out to his Sunday School teacher, the chairman of the Highway Commission at the time, for a part-time job. Mr. Petry told Larry to be in the Director's office in Austin on Monday morning. That would be the beginning of a 52 year career. After graduation from UT in 1963 with a BS degree in Civil Engineering, Larry accepted his first full-time position in the Design Division of the Highway Department. He received a Master’s Degree in 1971. Larry and Georgia had their first date at Sholtz’s Beer Garden in 1971, and they married August 7, 1976, bringing their two families together.

In 1973 and again in 1983, Larry was awarded a fellowship by the National Highway Institute. While in this post- graduate program in 1973, he studied transportation planning, broadening his education. In 1978, this led him to a position in Sherman, Texas, as the district planning engineer for the Paris District. While in graduate school, Larry was initiated into the UT chapter of the Chi Epsilon Fraternity, a National Honorary Civil Engineering Fraternity.

Larry retired the first time in 1993 and from early 1994 to late 1997, Larry worked for the Texas Research and Development Foundation, a consulting firm, where he traveled within the US, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. During this time, he was also the managing officer for the international Society for Asphalt Pavement. In January 1999, he returned to TxDot sharing his vast knowledge of pavement design, research protocol, contract management and just about every aspect of design, research, and maintenance of Tx DOT’s transportation systems.

Larry’s proudest achievement while at TxDOT include helping develop the current pavement design procedures and policy manuals, contributing to a number of research projects and committees in order to assist the 25 districts in the state, all with their own varied needs and distinct challenges.

In August 2015, Larry took his final retirement, looking forward to being with his family, traveling with Georgia, and playing a lot more golf. In 2016, Larry was diagnosed with early cognitive decline, and later with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Larry and Georgia, along with their family, continued to live life as normally as possible for as long as they were able. Larry never lost his good-natured personality and his inner strength.

Larry had many interests in his long life. He was a member of Toast Masters International for about 15 years, challenging himself in an area that didn’t come naturally, public speaking. He always wanted to learn and improve himself.

Faith was central to Larry’s life since his childhood. Riverbend Church has been his and Georgia’s community of faith for 42 years. He was ordained as a deacon in the early 90’s, a role of service not authority.

Larry started playing golf in his teens on the smalltown courses where he grew up. It was a family affair. For more than 20 years, the Buttler Family Reunions were held during the annual 4th of July golf tournament in Uvalde, Texas. In later years, he played golf with a special group of friends around Austin and occasionally traveled to prime golf destinations in Arizona, Florida, and South Carolina. As much as Larry loved playing golf, when the girls were growing up, family came first. Larry played golf after retirement at the Balcones Country Club, near their home, walking the golf course carrying his clubs until he was 80.

Larry is survived by his wife, Georgia, daughters Kathy Moore (John) and Shari Buttler. Four granddaughters, Courtney Moore, Rachael Moore, Elizabeth Caffey, and Alexis Fojtik, three grandsons, Matt Fojtik (Katie), Kyle Fojtik (Maddie), and Cody Fojtik (Ashley). Son-in-law Steve Fojtik, and 10 great grandchildren. Larry was predeceased by his parents Jack and Vera Buttler, and daughter, Leslie Buttler-Fojtik.

Georgia and the family are so appreciative of the help Larry received from the staff and caregivers of Blue Water Homecare for the last two years and Blue Water Hospice during Larry’s last few months. Special thanks to Victoria Gonzales, Margaret Yancey, Juanita Woods, and Maria Robinaux for their care and friendship, especially for making those last days as comfortable as possible. Our heartfelt gratitude to our Riverbend Family, especially our Journey Community Group, The Lighthouse Volunteers, and Women’s Bible Study Group.

A memorial service for Larry will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 11 AM at Riverbend Church, 4214 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, Texas 78746, with Dr. Dave Haney officiating.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Riverbend Church for Journey's Community group.