Eugene S. Butler

Just found Gene's obituary. Our sympathy to the family and friends.

Dan and Mary (Metcalf) England
I am a cousin from Albany, OK. Carmon Butler was a paternal great uncle; brother of my grandmother, Alma (Butler) Metcalf.

Hi, I´m at Shepherd Of The Hills Lutheran, practicing in Onalaska, Wisconsin. I am working on an arrangement your dad did. It´s got five flats, so I´m kind of ticked off at him right now, but that´s OK. He won´t mind. Thanks to him for writing this, so I could enjoy it and improve my piano skills...even at the grand old age of 58.!
Kaye

Dr. Butler was the most influential American sacred choral music composer of the late twentieth century. I was introduced to his compositions as a teenager at Oklahoma Baptist University at a summer music camp in 1967.

I first met Dr. Butler in 1968, when I was an organ major at Friends University in Wichita, Gene was then choral director at First United Methodist, where Dr. Dorothy Addy - my organ professor - was organist. Later, I had the privilege of working under his direction at a Methodist church in Prairie Village (or Overland Park). I developed a huge respect for his faith while learning a great deal about his music and about choral conducting. Learning of his passing this past March is a shock, but also a gift to me that I just happened to choose his anthem "O Lord, Thou Hast Searched and Known Me" as an organ prelude.

As a long-time director of church and community choirs, both children and adult, I loved programming Eugene Butler pieces...always immensely singable, with message perfectly married to melody. Bless the memory of Dr. Butler...his "voice" will continue to sing on through his music.

A special grandfather and father, music lover, composer, musician and sports fan. Blessed was Lydia´s family to have him and mom/grandma around for the kids.
A big hug to the Butler-Kent family for their major loss.