Clinton Charles Butler

Clinton “Red” Charles Butler died at home in Rancho San Diego, CA surrounded by family on March 23, 2016. Clint was born on January 16, 1930 in Escanaba, Michigan to Ben and Emma Butler. A proud Yooper, he is survived by his loving wife Catherine Sherman Butler; sister Charlotte Komosinski; sons Clinton James Butler and wife Chesanny, Jay Joseph Butler and his wife Patricia, Neil Christopher Butler and his wife Catherine, and Robert Charles Butler and his wife Judy; grandchildren Catherine Leah “Katie” Butler and Jordan Matthew Butler and his finance Shannon; and great grandson Owen Matthew Butler. He was preceded in death by his sister Dorothy Marie Hamilton.

Clint graduated from Gladstone High School in 1948, the University of Northern Michigan with a degree in Education in 1952, and the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1962. While at the University of Northern Michigan he met his bride Cathy and they were married in Newberry, MI on December 28, 1954. Upon graduation Clint received a direct commission in the United States Air Force and began his military career attending pilot training in Lubbock, TX. . Finding his second love – flying – Clint spent 27 years flying C-47 and C-97’s, which included serving as a pilot in the Vietnam War. Clint culminated his military career with oversight of the installation of the first multinational communication system in Europe for the Air Force. Together, Clint, Cathy and their family were stationed across the US, Hawaii and Germany. After retirement from the Air Force in 1979, he embarked on his civilian career with Hughes Helicopters, ultimately retiring from Boeing Helicopter in Chandler, AZ.

Cathy and Clint enjoyed many retired years in Chandler where Clint labored on his third love - golf, enjoying many different courses and many friendships through this sport. One of his great pleasures was serving with his brother-in-law, John Hamilton, as the founding seniors of the family’s annual “Hamilton Butler Golf Tournament.” Now a lively tradition, their legacy will live on to foster family fellowship across the generations.

Cathy and Clint were blessed with nearly 62 years of marriage and had just recently relocated to California from Chandler Arizona.

His funeral mass will be at 9:30 am on Friday April 1, 2016 at the Airman Memorial Chapel Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. He will have interment on Tuesday April 5, 2016 at 1:00 pm at the Miramar National Cemetery in Miramar California.

Gifts in his memory may be made to Sharp Hospice 8695 Spectrum Center Blvd, San Diego, CA 92123.