Roy Rodney Butts, 85

On Feb. 15, 2017, Roy Rodney Butts, beloved father, husband, “Grampa,” uncle and loyal friend, “passed on to the embrace of our heavenly Father” after a valiant fight with illness, surrounded by loving family.

Rod, as he was affectionately known by all, was born in Priest River, Idaho, on Dec. 2, 1931, to Clarence and Ilda Butts. His older sister Clarice welcomed Rod to the family and he was followed in later years by brothers Jack and Gerald.

Rod enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951, serving four years as an electrician’s mate aboard the USS Prairie (AD-15), based out of San Diego.

On Feb. 6, 1953, Rod married his high school sweetheart Betty and together they enjoyed over 60 short years of love, life and laughter.

Family was always the most important focal point of his life, providing for and supporting everything his family needed. Rod’s unselfish willingness to help everyone around him made him a role model that will be extremely missed by all that knew him. He never hesitated to help anyone and everyone if there was a task to be done, no matter the situation.

Following his Navy service obligation, Rod spent the next 40 years working in electrical shops in Washington and Montana, including owning and operating “Roy’s Electric” in Kalispell, from which he retired in 1995.

An avid outdoorsman, Rod’s passion for adventure was second only to family that led to many trips including hunting, fishing, traveling, camping with family and friends, wilderness trips on horseback … if it was outdoors, he loved to be part of it.

Rod was preceded in death by his lovely wife and soul mate, Betty, in 2013, and is survived by children Janice and husband Jim Dry, Ken and wife Sue Thompson and Jean and husband Ron Glasgow; grandchildren, Sarah Thompson, Jacie Sievers and her husband Wes Newsham, Brian Glasgow, Tyra Glasgow, Randy Glasgow, Beth Glasgow, Tracey Glasgow and Ronnie Glasgow; and great-grandchildren, Kaiden and Liliauna Glasgow.

A celebration of life for Rod will be held in the spring.

Roy Rodney Butts will be greatly missed.