Larry Paul 'Butch' Robinson, 72
Larry Paul “Butch” Robinson, 72, peacefully passed away on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at his home in Martin City, surrounded by his loving family, following a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Robinson; his mother, Sadie Robinson; and his two great-grandsons, Remington and Jameson Taylor.
Butch was born in 1942 in Bemidji, Minnesota. He moved to Columbia Falls with his family in 1954, after his father landed a job at Plum Creek. Butch served in the Coast Guard after high school, serving a tour of duty in Vietnam, where he served as coxswain, landing some of the first American Marines at Da Nang. After returning from Vietnam, he met the love of his life, Donna Jimison, who was working at Todd's Cafe (The Nite Owl, today), in 1967. Forty-six years ago, Butch and Donna were married, in March of 1968.
Butch first worked for Plum Creek and later became a self-employed carpenter, working across the state of Montana. His carpentry projects included some of the buildings at Plum Creek, the Hungry Horse Mini-Golden Inn, and individual houses all across the Flathead Valley. He also enjoyed several years as a stock car driver, was a skilled woodworker, and Butch and Donna together spent many years raising hunting Labradors.
Butch was a passionate outdoorsman and loved nothing more than hunting and fishing, in all corners of the state. He took great joy in sharing his love of the outdoors with all his friends and family.
Butch is survived by his wife, Donna; and his three children, son Tony and his wife Minsun Ji of Denver, Robby and his wife Andrea of Martin City, and Suzette and her husband John Taylor of Martin City. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and by his sister, Phyllis Robinson, and two brothers, Richard Robinson and David Robinson.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at North Valley Baptist Church in Columbia Falls.
Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.