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Harry BUTTS Obituary
A native of Hampton, he graduated from Hampton High. After four years in the US Air Force, he returned to Newport News Shipbuilding as a data analyst. He retired from NNS in 1998 with 38 years of service.
Four decades of bowling led him to many leadership positions within the Hampton Roads Bowling Association including President of youth bowling and Director.
In 1994, Harry joined the American Legion Post 31, where his continuing dedication and abilities earned him the position of multi-term Commander as well as a two term 3rd District Commander.
He is survived by his son, Michael Butts and wife, Tabitha and grandson, Michael Butts Jr. of Hampton. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Sparrow and husband, Caleb of Florida; and three nieces.
He was preceded in death by mother, Esther F. Butts of Hampton; father, Thomas K. Butts of Maine; and son, Thomas Erik Butts of Hampton.
He will be deeply missed by fellow Legion members and the local bowling community.
Friends are invited to his Life Celebration at the American Legion Post 31 on Friday, Oct. 21, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. A memorial service is planned for later this year.
In lieu of flowers, Harry requested memorial donations to American Legion Post 31, 4020 Victoria Blvd., Hampton, VA 23669.
Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.
Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23666. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harry BUTTS
Valerie Blackman
October 24, 2011
My condolences to the Butts family. I accompanied his niece Karen and sister Barbara to a wonderful dinner at the American Legion Post 31 where they served delicious steak and shrimp - cooked it, served it and cleaned up. They gave us wonderful memories of that evening and I appreciate all the hospitality.
Terrie Kyle
October 24, 2011
To Harry's family and the genlemen at Post 31,
As it turned out, Harry was my "babysitter", I am the Voter Registrar for the city and we are fortunate enough to hold our training there at Post. Harry was the unfortunate one to have to sit with us during the training sessions. I will truely miss Harry and his laugh. Our next meeting will not be the same without him. We are very sorry for your loss.
Yvonne Diggs
October 21, 2011
Harry and I worked together many years at the IT Help Desk (NNS) and we became very close friends during that time. His friendship was appreciated. I was very saddened to hear of his passing and my heart go out to his family.
Yvonne "Charlie" Diggs
(Kernersville, NC)
October 21, 2011
Mike and family,
Sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. You're in my thoughts and prayers. May God's Peace surround you during this time.
Lesley DeVries, Hampton
Diane Longoria
October 20, 2011
Michael, your Dad would be so proud of the way you are taking care of everything. You follow in his footsteps so very smartly. Words cannot express the wonderful man he was and all he did for us crazy kids in bowling. Always a spring in his step and a smile on his face and a quick joke. Your home was my second home way back then and your folks were so good to me. You have a dad to be proud of and you are a son to be proud of. Take care my friend. You and your family are in our prayers.
Ray & Vera Erickson
October 19, 2011
We extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Harry Butts. He will be remembered for bringing the "Viet Nam Wall that Heals" to Hampton Roads and working tirelessly for the American Legion Post 31 and all veterans. Harry was an avid supporter of the American Legion Baseball Program and other American Legion youth programs. He will be greatly missed.
Larry Milloy
October 18, 2011
My prayers are with the family. I knew Harry for a long time and would see him at Post 31. He was a great guy, always smiling and always had time to come over and talk to me. Harry,I will miss you my friend!! RIP
nate & lorrie firman
October 18, 2011
mike sorry for your loss. i'm sure Erik is so happy to have your dad with him.But it is hard to loss him.sorry that we can't come fri. we are going out of town.we will try to be there for his memorial sevice.
we love you.
James Sargent
October 18, 2011
I meet Harry way back in 1980 when I got stationed here in the Navy. At that time I was trying to get on a mens bowling league and he was kind enough to help me find a team at then Circle Lanes on the Wednesday Night mens league. One of the hardest to get into at the time. He was always smiling and had good things to say about everyone. He will be sadly missed by everyone at the Post. RIP Harry.
Mike Stearn Stearn
October 18, 2011
Our prayers are with Harry's Family. I will always remember his wit and love of young adults. He was always there and happy to see the Boys and Girls of Scouting. I will miss you friend.
Mike Stearn,
The Stearn and Scouting Family
Post 31
Annette Tollett
October 18, 2011
Mike,
I am so sorry to hear about your father's passing. Harry has meant a lot to Sam and I over the years. May God's grace be with you and His presence comfort you during your loss.
Dug Rizzo
October 18, 2011
Harry was a bowling coach of mine at Langley AFB somewhere between 1972-1982.
I just recently found an old bowling card signed by Harry that made me a certified score keeper. I seem to remember he had a bit of a sense of humor. I appreciate the time he spent with us coaching and will have to dedicate my next week of bowling to him. On ocassion I travel to NC and pass a sign for Butts construction and I always think of Harry when I see it. My sympathies go out to his family.
Tina Gockley
October 17, 2011
I want Michael to know how much respect I had for your father. I think of him almost everyday. I learned from him how important family is and the unending love he had for his children. I think I started taking care of people that were towards the end of there lives from the way your father and you cared for Eric. I learned alot from ya in a short time and am forever indebted to ya. respectfully, Tina Newberry-Gockley
October 17, 2011
I met Mr Butts about 20 years ago by his son Eric. There is not a day that goes by that i do not think of him and his family.He taught me the grace of caring for a family member with love and respect. I have the most respect for him and Michael. He was one hell of a man and father. I wish the family peace at this hard time. respectfully, Tina Newberry-Gockley
October 17, 2011
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO HARRY'S FAMILY. WE KNEW HARRY FROM THE BALL FIELD, HE WAS ALWAYS WORKING ON THE FIELDS, HE WAS NEVER SELFISH WITH HIS TIME. HE WAS VERY PROUD OF HIS POST 31
ALAN AND PATTI RILEY POST 255
Michael Roscoe
October 17, 2011
Sorry to hear of the passing of Harry. He was a great friend and will be missed. My thoughts are with you Michael.
Pete Fairchild
October 17, 2011
The veterans of Adams-Williams Chapter 607, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Craigs-McCue Post 3219, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US, mourn the passing of a great leader among the Peninsula's organized veterans.
October 17, 2011
I was new to Willis Elementary in the fall of 1950. Harry was one of the first to be nice to me - I was shy and such a stranger. We often played on the seesaw together on the playground. He was such a nice young man. I am sorry not to have kept up with him over the years.
Mary Rob Harris Clodfelter, formerly of Victoria Blvd., Hampton
Jeanne Coates
October 17, 2011
I was so sorry to hear of Harry's passing. I met him at Post 31, and was so impressed with his kindness and dedication to bringing the Wall that Heals to the area. I feel blessed to have known such a fine man. His family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Barbara Banton
October 17, 2011
Harry was a good friend and co-worker of mine at NNS, although he was not one of my supervisors, he was very helpful with anything I had a problem with. I enjoyed my conversations with him and his help many times with putting on SURPRISE PARTIES at the legion building. I will always remember Harry as a dear friend and I hope his family will only have wonderful memories of him and keep his spirit alive.
Ron Whitehurst
October 16, 2011
I knew Harry for many years at the Shipyard. We often had lunch together and I remember him telling about his adventures in the US Air Force and stories of his love of bowling.
My prayers go out to his family.
Karen York
October 16, 2011
So sorry to hear of Harry's passing. He was a good friend of my father's, Larry York, back when my sister & I were kids. He was one of our bowling coaches at Circle Lanes. In the "Father-Daughter" tournament he was my "substitute" father. I always thought a lot of him. My sympathy & prayers go to his family.
Alan Vance
October 16, 2011
I was saddened to hear about Harry. I worked with him at the Shipyard. When I began my career there, he mentored me. I really enjoyed working with him and he taught me a lot. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Frances & Clarence Hargus
October 16, 2011
Our sympathy goes out to the family of Harry. May God be with them and comfort them during this stressful time.
HHS Classmates.
Roger Shortridge
October 16, 2011
Harry was a dear friend and I am saddened by his loss. His family is in my prayers in this time of sorrow. I hope the Chapel Street Boys can reunite again.
Ross Kearney
October 16, 2011
My heart goes out to the family of Harry Butts.
His mission was to serve the community mostly
through his efforts with the American Legion
Post 31.
Ross Kearney
Hampton City Council
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