Celebrating the life of

John Michael Butcher

January 19, 1950 - February 5, 2024

John Butcher was born January 19, 1950 to the union of Grant and Stella Butcher in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was the younger fraternal twin to sister Joan. He loved being the only boy among four sisters who fondly called him Johnny. In his early years the family relocated to Wathena, Kansas where he would grow up. As a young boy he developed a love of sports excelling at baseball, basketball, and track and field.

He served in the US Navy at a young age and was stationed in Orlando, Florida. He later went on to attend the University of Kansas (KU) where he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi and received his bachelor’s degree. While there he made many lifelong friends who would call him ‘JB’. He developed a passion for KU basketball and all things Jayhawk which would continue throughout his life as a proud alum. During his time at KU he also met Deborah Pitts who would later become his beloved wife and the mother of their three children.

The Butcher family made their home for many years in Overland Park, Kansas. John worked as an agent for New York Life Insurance Company for over 30 years. His career complimented his ability to connect with others and exemplified what many have described as a warm spirit. Outside of work he was especially proud of having been a founding member of First Fridays of Kansas City. He bonded with his children over a love of sports becoming their first coach and then a dedicated hype man and supporter. In 1996 he was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He relied heavily on his faith to get him through the loss of his wife in 1998 to breast cancer.

In his later years he worked hard at being the best version of himself. He “got out there” and formed new circles of friendship while fostering old ones, developed new talents (dance), and leaned into his many hobbies and interests which included golf, music, the KU alumni association and sports, being a supporter of the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, and a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

He was preceded in death by his parents Grant and Stella (Briscoe) Butcher, sisters Bonita Patterson and Joan Owens, and wife Deborah Butcher.

John leaves to cherish his memory his devoted sisters Judith Krumme (Jeffery), Kathy Scroggins (Kenneth); loving children Sidney Butcher (Taren), Jocelyn Lane (Eric), and Angela Butcher (James); along with five granddaughters (Eva, Avery, Naomi, Addison, and Amirah), nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

JB - you will be dearly missed by all!

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