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ORVAL BUTCHER Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for ORVAL BUTCHER
Harold and Caroll Long
October 1, 2024
Remembering a wonderful Pastor and loving friend. Looking forward to seeing him again. A true man of grace. Love, Harold and Caroll Long
Lucene Dobler
October 1, 2019
Pastor Butcher was a very special person! He had a sweet spirit and a concern for all people. We experienced this in our family several times while raising our four teenage children. What a Godly example he was to us all.
Deedee Ladd (Gatlin)
October 21, 2010
Pastor Butcher has been and will always be my spiritual father. His love for all his people was the greatest feeling. My mom was one of his secretaries for 13 years.
He will be missed greatly and I am sorry we missed the funeral, we would have loved being there to celebrate his life. God Bless the family.
Lisa (Irwin) Lorhan
October 13, 2010
Dear Connie and Family:
I have just learned of your father's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
David Clifton
October 12, 2010
Pastor Butcher was the greatest man of God I have ever known. He was my pastor at Skyline Wesleyan Church from the age of six until I moved to Orange County to begin my teaching career at 24. Pastor Butcher and I had many private conversations over the years I knew him I learned to love him not only as my spiritual leader but as a close friend and confidant. I so much wanted to enter the ministry when I was younger, but because of my love for sports and young people Pastor Butcher encouraged me to go into education. I have now been teaching and coaching for 28 years.
Pastor Butcher loved his flock, How he knew all of us at Skyline from the very younest newborn to the most elderly by our first name always amazed me. He cared for each of us individually and would always find time for us in his office or on the phone.
When Pastor Butcher would sing "How Great Thou Art" you felt the presence of the Lord. When he sang "Bubbling" you felt the spirit flow from out of him and fill the room with joy and Happiness like no other Pastor I have known since could ever do.
I, as we all will will miss this wonderful man of God for the short time we have left on this earth, but we rejoice that he is now with the father and we will see him once again when we too join him in heaven.
Gordon and Tammy (Mansfield) Ainsworth
October 12, 2010
Dear Connie, Sharon, and Alden,
You haven't lost someone if you know where they are.
We grieve with you over the death of your father, and rejoice with you in the hope of The Resurection.
We know you shared him with many (when you were young and as adults) including us, and we are truly thankful.
"And he who lives and believes in Me, shall never die." John 11:26
October 11, 2010
Pastor Orval C. Butcher – the right man, at the right time, in the right place, with the right vision.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.� John 10:11-13
Pastor Butcher was not a �hired hand� shepherd.
Our family moved from Santa Anna to Lemon Grove in 1979, and we had just moved into our new home. I was very discouraged because I was out of work and out of the ministry with no prospects of employment in view. Finances were very tight and we were barely making it. I was working on the back yard trying to reestablish the landscaping that had gone to ruin while the house stood unsold for many months. I was mowing down the weeds on a hot summer day when the lawn mower threw a rock right through our sliding glass door shattering it into thousands of pieces. I couldn't believe what had happened. I sat down on the ground in disgust and anger and gave up. Leslie, knowing my emotional collapse, called Pastor Butcher. A few minutes later, with me still sitting on the ground, Pastor Butcher showed up to hear my complaint and encourage me to get up and keep on going. That event was the greatest example of a “good� shepherd I have ever experienced. The thing I needed the most I got when I needed it the most because Pastor Butcher interrupted his very busy day to minister to me in a time of emotional difficulty. He was a sacrificing, compassionate servant! He “anointed my head with oil.� That visit did more for me than all the sermons I heard him preach, all the songs I had heard him sing, all the counsel and wisdom he had shared with me and all the leadership he had given.
1 Peter 5:2 says to those who call themselves pastors, “Be (good) shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must,(hired) but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve.� That was Pastor Butcher. Ps. 78:72 says David shepherded Israel “with integrity of heart.� That was my pastor! Lord, give us more of them.
Pastor Orval C. Butcher – the right man, at the right time, in the right place, with the right vision – now arrived at the RIGHT destination!
Art Whaling
Dawn (Carpenter) Kinzel
October 10, 2010
Bittersweet feelings as I hear of Pastor Butcher's "promotion to Glory!"
The Carpenter Family came to Skyline in the '70's and was welcomed warmly by Pastor Butcher. My father, Ron (who is also in heaven) was especially taken by with this Godly man and spent many years under his pastorship.
I remember faith promise Sundays, where PB gave just as much honor to the children's 5 and 10 cent pledges as he did to the adults' larger ones. I always felt valued by this man.
I loved the "let it happen"s lead by Pastor and Otis Skillings. Someone would call him to sing "How Great Thou Art" and Pop would yell "GLORY!" "It's bubbling in my soul" with PB on the piano...what a tremendous legacy he has left us with!
We are so privileged that God lent him to us for a time. We are grateful for the impact he has made on our all lives.
Blessings to the family - and thank you for sharing him with us!
Sharon Libby
October 9, 2010
IN HONOR OF PASTOR ORVAL C. BUTCHER
Many times I've asked myself, "How can somebody be sad and happy at the same time?" I just found out that it is, indeed, possible. My heart is heavy right now because my dear sweet "shepherd," Pastor Orval C. Butcher went to be with the Lord today. I have known Pastor Butcher for a little over 30 years and I will miss him something awful. He has stood by me through many of my challenges; he baptized my first born son; he endorsed my book; and, we loved our weekly visits over the phone. I am thankful that my husband and I were able to visit with Pastor Butcher personally on our recent trip to California.
Over the past few months, Pastor Butcher told me many times that he wanted to go to heaven. Pastor Butcher would have turned 93 in December and has been on dialysis since 2006. He had such a strong ministry, even up to the end. I am the one that was not ready to let him go; but, I'm happy that he is with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ now and he is no longer in any discomfort. To God be the Glory!
Pastor Butcher was the founding pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church in Lemon Grove, California and since retiring has ministered through Orval C. Butcher Ministries. I was hoping and praying that he would live long enough to see the construction of the new auditorium that was to be named Pastor Orval Butcher Chapel upon completion, but that didn't happen. However, when we took Pastor Butcher to lunch in July he took us by the property where the chapel will stand in his honor. When the chapel is done Pastor Butcher will smile down from heaven and say, "Glory," which was his favorite phrase. Everybody else will say, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."
There are many who are pastors but not many that are a pastor and a shepherd like Pastor Butcher was. He cared deeply for his flock! We will love and miss our dear sweet servant of God. "Thank you God for allowing Pastor Butcher to be a part of our lives for so many years. Take good care of him until we meet again at the throne of Glory. Amen."
Blessings, Sharon
Jill Nulton Ruhl
October 8, 2010
As for so many, Pastor Butcher was my first pastor, as well. The nourishment I received under his ministry at Skyline Wesleyan Church during my youth empowered me through Christ's strength to ultimately enter full-time pastoral ministry myself. i am so thankful for the ministry of Jesus Christ as practiced through Pastor Orval Butcher.
October 8, 2010
Pastor Butcher was my first pastor after I got saved. He was so full of JESUS! I still remember him praying with me 32 years ago! I loved him dearly. We'll see each other someday and sing "How Great Thou Art"!
Kathy Cote
Dobie & Lucene Dobler
October 8, 2010
Pastor Butcher holds a special place in the hearts of each member of our family. He lived what he preached and that ministered to us in a strong way! He is spoken of often in our family, and the fond memories are many. He was there for us in happy times as well as hard times. He was truly a man of God in every way. Thank you family, for sharing him with us. We love you all,
The Dobler Family
Harold & Caroll Long
October 8, 2010
Pastor Butcher was one of the most loving Pastor's ever. He knew what the word Grace meant. He will always have a special place in our heart. He made a difference in our lives & the world is a much better place because of his ministries. We look forward to seeing him & Dorothy someday!
Ben McLaughlin
October 8, 2010
A great Christian Man who will be missed by all who knew him and benefited from his ministry here in San Diego and around the World. As a Christian Teenager growing up in San Diego I have many fond memories of Pastor Butcher Singing and preaching at local 'Singspirations'. May God Bless his family richly.
Until we meet in heaven. Your friend in Christ,
October 8, 2010
OH, HOW I LOVED PASTOR BUTCHER......MY HUSBAND AND I CAME TO THE LORD THROUGH THE LOVE OF OUR BELOVED SHEPHERD, PASTOR BUTCHER......HE GREATLY INFLUENCED OUR LIVES IN RAISING OUR FOUR CHILDREN, WHO ALSO ACCEPTED JESUS THROUGH THE TEACHINGS OF OUR PASTOR AT SKYLINE CHURCH.....I SHALL REMEMBER HIM FOREVER AND CONSIDER HIM ONE OF GREATEST INFLUENCES IN MY LIFE THANK YOU PASTOR....I SEND MY CONDOLENCE TO HIS FAMILY..I KNOW WE SHALL SEE HIM AGAIN ONE DAY !!! .....................JOYCE LONG ....
Kevin Schuhmacher
October 7, 2010
I love you P.B. and I will miss you. I have so many memories from my youth at Skyline. I will never forget you P.B.! Thank God for Pastor Butcher
Jerri & Clyde Shearer
October 7, 2010
Our Prayers go out to the Butcher Family. Paster Butcher has been in our lives for over 40 years. He may have been small in stature but had the biggest heart of anyone I ever knew. He was delightful, always wearing a smile and always ready with a story. I can picture him standing in front of our Lord and the Lord saying to him " well done my good and faithful servent". He was truly a man of God. He was a blessing to all he came in contact with. Pastor will be missed, but his example and love for his people will live on. We love you Pastor Butcher and you'll be in our heart forever.
Tammy Rudolph
October 7, 2010
I am so blessed to be part of the legacy he left behind. I was raised in my faith at Skyline. He baptised me at age 12. He was a kind and gentle man that truly loved people. He's one more reason I look forward to heaven one day! Oh to hear him sing again. Blessings to all.
Dennis and Patti Garretson
October 7, 2010
Our sympathy to Alden, Connie, and Sharon. Your Dad holds a very special place in our hearts. He loved us unconditionally. He was a godly man. We were blessed to have him be our pastor.
Jacque Buurman
October 7, 2010
Pastor Butcher was such a joy to be around. He always had a smile on his face, and when he sat down at the piano to sing, you knew tears were forthcoming. He meant every word of those wonderful songs. I also remember his glee when he would begin.. "Bubbling.." At high school camp we got to know him well and everyone loved him. How could you not. Praise God for men like him. My prayers and blessings to his children and family. I am better for having known him.
Dan Eaton
October 7, 2010
As a Catholic teenager in Lemon Grove in the 60's, I was invited by friends to attend the Youth Program at Skyline Wesleyan on several occasions....and was amazed to see how Pastor Butcher's ministry was reaching out to families through reaching the community's teenagers. I never handed in my Crucifix, but, later in life became Senior Pastor of a nondenominational church focused on the wealth of common ground between Catholics and Protestants. Throughout the entire time, I credited Pastor Butcher with the inspiration and boldness behind my call. I met him only once, but felt I knew him well. I'll be sure to thank him when we meet again.
Jim and Yowapa Fish
October 7, 2010
Condolances to Connie and all. Orval was a true humanitarian -- we will miss his inspiring monthly newsletters.
Russ Proctor
October 7, 2010
Carol and I are so lucky to have been part of your fathers ministry and I personally will never hear "How Great Thou Art" without warm thoughts of that beautiful man. We are so sorry for your loss.
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