Butch Johnson

Butch Johnson was born Philip Wayne Johnson on August 13th, 1942. He was the middle son of Ila Maxine Welch Johnson and Raymond Louis Johnson. Butch grew up south of Chariton, attended Gartin Country School, Alma Clay Jr. High, and graduated from Chariton High School in 1960. Through high school, he worked for Keith and Mary Gartin at Gartin's Super Value and later for Joe Halferty at HyVee Food Store.

The day of high school graduation, Butch moved to Des Moines and worked for his Uncle Lyle Johnson at Johnson's Standard Service Station located at 42nd and University until 1964.

On May 4, 1963 Butch and Georgia Heston were married at Epworth Methodist Church, 412 Euclid Avenue in Des Moines, by former Chariton Minister Lester Hall.

Butch later managed Douglas Magic Standard Service just south of Merle Hay Mall from 1964 to 1972 and served on the Des Moines Police Auxiliary.

Butch and Georgia became parents to Cheri Suzanne on September 27, 1967 and Chad Alan on March 9, 1972.

For hobbies, Butch enjoyed drag racing his 1964 Chevelle, racing Scorpion and Sno-Jet snowmobiles on grass and snow, and participating in tractor pulls all over the Midwest with his Hot Rod M. Farmall, winning the Iowa State Fair in 1969. He and Georgia enjoyed going out dancing through the early rock and roll years. Butch played on various slow pitch softball teams in Urbandale and played on teams with Cheri and Chad in Chariton, even after he was a grandpa.

He treated his family to countless family vacations through the years, going to Florida, Branson and the Ozarks often, and taking everyone to visit Chad and family while he was in the service in California, Hawaii, Colorado, Alaska, Kansas, and Florida. A huge highlight trip was a surprise to Butch and Georgia, getting to celebrate their 50th anniversary in Canada at Niagara Falls. They also enjoyed a surprise for their 60th anniversary party, visiting with all of the family and friends that attended.

In 1972, Butch managed Butch's Texaco on the corner of Merle Hay Road and Madison Avenue, just east of Merle Hay Mall. In 1973, he also operated the Interstate Texaco further north on Merle Hay Road by Interstate 80. Butch made many life long friends through his various businesses throughout the years.

Texaco declared bankruptcy to force all of their dealers out in 1979, so in June of that year, Butch, Georgia and their family moved from Urbandale to their home and business they built on Georgia's parents' farm on Highway 34 in Lucas County. Butch continued to do automotive repair, sell and service used cars, snowmobiles, Snapper lawn mowers, and golf cars, and operated a sporting goods store which kept their children occupied, counting inventory and answering the telephone.

Doug Schroeder was a great friend to Butch for years in Des Moines, and he continued to travel to Lucas many weekends, bringing his kids and spending time helping, hunting, playing, and making many wonderful memories for the family.

Butch enjoyed many trips taking his father to NASCAR races in Homestead-Miami, Florida. He also loved watching the races on TV and talking about his favorite drivers.

Butch became a grandfather with the birth of Cheri's children Braden Allan Rea born April 10, 1991 and Carley Suzanne Arnold born July 3, 1998, and Chad's children Violet Joy Johnson born August 7, 2012 and Daisy Soleil Johnson born January 16, 2015. He adored his grandkids, and he especially loved this new 'job' (and sneaking them treats when he could).

Approaching "retirement age", Butch had gradually scaled back to full time golf car sales and service. He closed up shop at age 80 and enjoyed coffee time with his friends, staying current with all of the latest news. Preceding him in death were his mother Maxine on March 23, 2003, father Raymond on February 15, 2013, and brother Roger on December 30, 2021.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Georgia Johnson, brother Larry Johnson, children Cheri (Jim) Arnold and Chad (Gabrielle) Johnson, grandchildren Braden Rea, Carley Arnold, Violet Johnson and Daisy Johnson, as well as many other extended family members.

Butch was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. The memories he created for others will be cherished forever.

Memorials may be sent to the Almost Home Animal Rescue in Chariton.