Jerome David Butchko Sr.

July 10, 2015 Jerome David Butchko Sr. of Hoover died July 10, 2015 after a short illness. He was 78. A native of Ohio, Jerry moved to Birmingham more than 30 years ago to work with U.S. Steel Corp. He worked in management at the Fairfield Works and others, including a startup in Brazil. Jerry attended St. Mary's High School in Lorain, Ohio and was number 62 on the Kent State football team, playing tackle and guard as a two-way starter and scholarship player in the early 1950s. He was inducted into the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. Retired from U.S. Steel and BMI Refractories, Jerry enjoyed gardening, Auburn football, Sudoku, laughter, and spending time with his wife and family. He will be greatly missed. Jerry was the youngest of four children of Charles and Sarah Szabo Butchko. Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Randy Ruffner Butchko. Together, they had seven children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Other survivors include his daughters and son, Mary Ellen Butchko Walker of Tampa, Fla., Laura Butchko Groover and husband Bryan of Birmingham, Diane Butchko Neri and husband Eric of St. Petersburg, Fla., Jerry Butchko Jr. and wife Christine of Louisville, Ky. Survivors also include grandchildren Nicole Groover of Tuscaloosa, Sarah Groover of Birmingham, Rachel Groover of Auburn and Maria and Kaylee Groover of Birmingham; Jessica Bradley and Lauren Bradley of Tampa, Fla. and Matthew Neri of St. Petersburg, Fla., and great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Aubrey Cartrell of Tampa, Fla. Other survivors are stepsons and stepdaughter, Frank Walburn and wife Jackie of Hoover, Tommy Walburn and wife Karen of Newnan, Ga. and Molly Brown and husband Jim of Cook Springs, and their sons and daughters, Will Walburn of Hoover, Mary Claire Walburn of Nashville, Grady Gentry and Katie Gentry of Pelham, and Bryce Walburn and Jennifer Walburn Slade of Newnan. GA. Jerry was preceded in death by Mary Kay Miller Butchko, his brothers Louis and Charles Butchko and sister, Rosemary. Jerry was remembered at a memorial Mass Thursday, July 16, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in his memory to Prince of Peace Catholic Church or a favorite charity.