
I just found this site with the help of my son, Dan Mosser.  Both John Mosser and John Buttler were close friends as were Ann and I.  We met them in 1951 when they followed the recently graduated lawyers and their wives to Portland.  Oregon promised a brighter future than did the east coast where many of us had lived.  And Oregon also was a new adventure for all of us. Friendships evolved from this group and Ann and John became our closest friends over the years.

While our husbands shared the love of fishing and the law, Ann and I shared birthing, child raising, and maternity clothes and hand me downs for the children (money was tight and these were the baby boomer years!).

Ann's sudden death in 2002 was a shock to all to all of us who loved her.  I had just had lunch with her two days before and she looked so healthy and happy.  And John's descent into Alzheimer's was devastating to all of us who loved him, too.  Ann was spared those final years but not their daughters: Suze, Dana, Liz and Barbara.  Dana became mother of all and kudos to her.  The other children lived back on the east coast or were unable to assume the responsibility of care for John.

I had just discovered a photograph of their gravestone (by googling) and on it is an engraving of a couple canoeing with the inscription, “Our Love Will Last Forever.”  And that says it all.

I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad.  The picture of him is exactly as I remember him.  I can see him sitting in his den in the skyline house with a pipe and a book.  I always thought that was the coolest room.  Please let us know when the celebration will be held.  Blessings to all the Butler family.  Barbara Bergquist Gicking

Dana, Susie, Elizabeth, Barbara and John,

We were so sorry to hear of your Dad's death.  We always had a wonderful time with him and your Mom whenever they were here and when we were in Oregon.  He was a wonderful man and we had great respect for everything he stood for and did.  Our thoughts are with you.

All our love, Nancy and John Meyers

John was one heck of a great guy, and I'm so proud to have known him.

Judge Buttler was the last of a generation of five fisherman, mostly lawyers (Borden Beck, John Mosser, Dave Templeton, and Malcolm Carter were the others), who enjoyed each other's company on the Deschutes and Metolius Rivers over the course of several decades. The Judge continued to accompany the younger generation to the sacred spot until he was 80. He was an artist with the fly rod. After fishing for the day, he would don his "genuine Navaho booties," pour a bourbon, light a pipe, and launch into his repertoire of stories about his youth in the East, life as a Navy fighter pilot in WWII, early days as a lawyer in Portland, and cases he arbitrated after retiring.

He was my father's friend, and he was my friend. To borrow one of his favorite expressions, "Judge, you're to be commended!"

To Dana, my admired co-worker and friend.  Although I did not know your father, I do know what it is to watch a father decline into Alzheimer's, and to mourn him long before the actual death.  My heartfelt sympathy to you and your siblings as you cope with this loss.

John was a first-rate trial and appellate judge, before whom it was always a pleasure to appear.  He was patient, kind and fair to all the lawyers who appeared before him and so intelligent that he always understood whatever any lawyer before him might be trying to say, no matter how inarticulate they may have been.  His decisions were clear and compassionate.

He was also a wonderful friend and colleague.   I recall with great fondness our frequent lunches at Adele's restaurant with all the other young liberal Democratic lawyers, many from eastern law schools, who helped build up the Democratic Party to the success it has become in Oregon.  Many do not remember the early 1950s when Oregon was a one-party (Republican) state.

Then there was John the friend, with whom Alice and I had the pleasure of sharing those great Fourth of July picnics at Borden and Lu Beck's wonderful home.  

He will be very much missed, as we members of our “Greatest Generation” are gradually exiting the scene.

Alice joins me in sending our deepest condolences to Suzanne, John, Dana, Elizabeth and Barbara.

      Paul Meyer

I am very sad to hear that John has passed away. It was a an honor to have met him and to serve him. His sense of humor will be missed by all who were allowed to share these last days with him.

I knew John as a friend, a fellow lawyer, and as a judge.  He was without a doubt the most business-savvy judge we have ever had on either the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court.  I remember a particularly complex case involving Nerco, a subsidiary of Pacificorp, and some large contracts for Appalachian coal to be shipped to Korea.  He reduced a very complicated case to its essence, and saved Pacifcorp $27 million.  I believe he is the only person to go from a business practice to an appellate court.  Every other judge was a former litigator.  John brought his business sense with him.  Please let me know when his celebration of life will be held.  Barnes H. Ellis

I am very sad to hear about Judge Buttler's death.  I worked as a law clerk for him at the Court of Appeals and he was one of my favorite people.  I will always remember him with his pipe, working thoughtfully through every problem.  
I would like to attend the celebration of his life, whenever it is held.

Law partner for 19 years, friend for 54.  Brilliant lawyer and judge, hardworking and totally principled.  Sounds like cliches, but true.  It was sad to see that marvelous mind deteriorate.  John was also great company, and that look on the picture on this webpage is the way I'll remember him. Alice joins me in wishing the best to "the kids."  Jack Faust

OBITUARY

Judge John Howland Buttler

August 4, 1923 – September 27, 2012

Skyline Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home

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