Rodney "Rod" F. Butler

Rodney “Rod” Frank Butler, 77, passed away Wednesday, April 24th at the Veterans Administration Community Living facility in Spokane, Washington. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, April 30th at 2:00pm at Sunset Gardens in Warden, Washington. Immediately following family and friends will gather at the Best Western Lake Front Hotel in Moses Lake. Born in La Grande, Oregon, Rod lived the majority of his adult life in Spokane. He attended Central and Eastern Washington College of Education and graduated Salutatorian from Warden High School in 1953. Following his education, Rod went to work for the United States Bureau of Reclamation and Department of Agriculture in the Moses Lake - Othello area of Washington State. In 1958, he joined the United States Army and served until 1960 at Fort Ord, California, Fort Lee, Virginia and ultimately Fort Lawton in Seattle. After his service in the Armed Services, Rod went to work for US West Communications where he spent almost 30 years directing all phases of Outside Plant Engineering disciplines. Rod was actively involved in the Spokane Utility Council on the Damage and Education Committee at the time and served as Area Director to the State Council. He was also a long time member of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce. An avid hunter, fisherman and golfer, Rod married Sylvia Rae Kisler in 1955. November would have marked their 58th wedding anniversary. Two children came to bless their home, Jeffrey Mark Butler now living in Seattle, Washington and Joyce Renee Kjorsvik, now residing in Duvall, Washington. Rod is also survived by his son-in-law Dale Kjorsvik, two granddaughters Jerrica and Rachael, and his sister June Donahue. Other extended family members include his nieces Sheri Kisler and Kay Donahue and nephew Kendall Donahue. He is preceded in death by his brothers Robert and Arthur, as well as his mother and father, Art and Ruby Butler. Our family would like to extend our gratitude to Hospice at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Spokane for making Rod’s needs this last month as comfortable as possible. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska and Washington: 811 First Avenue, Suite 520, Seattle, WA 98104 (800-304-9474) in honor of Rod. It is with great love and affection that we say Good Bye.

Rodney "Rod" F. Butler

July 31, 1935 - April 24, 2013