John Kenneth Butler

1948 - 2014

John Kenneth Butler Age, 66, of Novato passed away on the afternoon of Wednesday, November, 5, 2014 in Sonoma, California with his daughter at his side. John was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer on September 29, 2014. He was born on June 21, 1948 in New York, New York to Dorothea and Arthur Butler of Montclaire, New Jersey. He grew up in New Jersey and Massachusetts, with the family spending many summers in Cape Cod. John graduated from Montclaire High School in 1966. He attended the University of Ohio where he studied math and physics. He joined the U.S. Army and graduated with honors from the U.S. Army Signaling School in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey in 1972. He was stationed in the Middle East where he worked as an electronics and communication specialist. After his honorable discharge in 1977, he moved to California to be closer to family and start a new civilian life. For the next 25 years he worked as an electrical and maintenance engineer until his early retirement in 2003. He continued to work part-time in his retirement maintaining group homes for special needs individuals and assisted in management of properties neighboring his home until his diagnosis was made. John was married to Emily Patterson in 1984. They had their daughter Ashley in 1985. John became a Grand Dad in July of this year. John was a proud, dedicated and loving Dad and Grand Dad. Also known by his call sign KF6GNI, John was an amateur ham radio operator. He was an emergency communications volunteer for RACES. He was a talented musician. He adored his golden retrievers. Among many other positive attributes, John was brilliant, but humble. He was extremely generous and self-sacrificing. Above all, he was always there-to listen, give advice, to help. His mind and soul will be dearly missed, but his spirit will stay with those that he loved and cared for. John is survived by his daughter Ashley, son-in-law Cody, grandson Caiden John, the Patterson Clan, brother Art, sister-in-law Joyce along with nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews, and cousins. His voice will be missed on the radio waves and his physical presence absent on Second Street. A Memorial Service with Military Honors for John will be held Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 11:00am at Adobe Creek Funeral Home 331 Lakeville St. Petaluma, Ca. The service will be officiated by Rev. Peadar Dalton. Following the service there will be a Celebration of Life Reception from 12:00-3:00pm at Rooster Run Golf Course Cypress Room 2301 E. Washington St. Petaluma, Ca. All family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. A portion of John's Ashes will be spread on top of Big Rock Ridge in Lucas Valley, Ca at a TBA time/date. Contributions can be made in honor of John to http://fightcolorectalcancer.org. Thank you family and friends for all of your love and support through John's journey on earth and beyond. XOXO's to you Dad, Love your Daughter Unit.