Gregory Butcher

Butcher, Gregory Christopher
January 12 1950- July 2, 2011
A special Memorial Mass for Greg will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1292 W. Santa Cruz Street, San Pedro, California, on Saturday, August 6 2011 at 12 noon, internment will be private.
Gregory Christopher Butcher peacefully passed away after a year long battle with multiple myeloma on July 2, 2011. Greg was preceded in death by his father, Vernon F. Butcher and leaves behind his mother, Geraldine Butcher, siblings, Verna Jean (husband, Chuck DeKeado, son Dax), Vernon, (daughter, Lacresha, son, Nicavan and daughter, Khadijah), Michael, Bernadette, Michele, and Patricia, (husband, Jerome Cooksie, son, Jerald, (Jaiyon) and daughter, Debra, (Daylynn and Dayvon), former wife, Linda and children daughter, Nicole (granddaughter Nailah), son Gregory, (wife Shyrah, grandchildren, Elijah, Cynayah, Cychown, Yaazyer , Azzan, Mykaelah, Chacan and Qinyan), and children daughter Alea and son Eric.
Born and raised in San Pedro, California, Greg attended Holy Trinity Catholic Grammar School, Dana Jr. High, graduated from Fermin Lasuen High School (where he was an avid football and baseball player), and pursued social studies at Harbor College. Deeply passionate about all forms of music and instruments, Greg worked for Motown Records as a body guard where he protected Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Latoya Jackson and other Motown greats. He frequently went to the Jackson's residence to pick up Latoya and would talk with Michael Jackson, who at the time was only a teenager. He also worked for many clubs as a bodyguard and also provided protection for several prominent businessmen.
Greg was a loyal guardian and although he could use force when needed, he preferred to use dialogue and talk people out of making foolish decisions. This way he was able to avoid a confrontation.
He credited his survival the last couple of years to his mother's prayers. He had so much love for his mother. He genuinely cared about and respected her. He had a true fear/love of God which he also attributes to his mother. Although he was no angel in life, he knew there were limits and that God was watching everything and everyone.
An avid cycling enthusiast, he never was able to realize his dream of opening his own specialty shop repairing high-end bicycles, yet he still was willing to share his knowledge and expertise, repair services, safety, and security tips with anyone who needed assistance. He returned to practicing the teachings of his Savior and died, once again, a man deeply rooted in his Catholic faith. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.