Gary "Butch" Atkinson, 80, formerly of Burlington died Sunday, March 23, 2025, at New London Specialty Care Center.
Born on June 20, 1944, in Colton, Oregon, he was the son of James and Inez (Askew) Atkinson. He married Mary Fariss and of that union they had four daughters. They later divorced. On May 8, 1987, he married Betty Darnold, she preceded him in death on Jan. 17, 2015.
Butch graduated from Danville High School. He served in United States Navy Reserves. For over forty years Butch worked for and retired from Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. He was a member of Sunnyside Baptist Church in Burlington. In his free time, he enjoyed roller skating, playing cards, dice games and going bowling. Butch also enjoyed meeting up with his friends for coffee at Panera Bread from time to time.
He is survived by his four daughters, Shelly (Darrell) Dean of Mount Pleasant, Sheila (Warren) Orth of Salem, Tina (Terry) Barton of Mount Pleasant, and Carrie Atkinson of Gulfport, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Cory, Whitney, Macoy, Tyson, Traden, Wesley, Chasity, Wylee and Logan; and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister, Connie (Dale) Glasgow of Danville, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary Lou Overton and Barb Crear; brother, Ricky Atkinson; second wife, Betty, and three brothers in-law.
The funeral service for Butch will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at Lunning Chapel with Pastor Larry Dodds officiating. A one-hour visitation will be held prior to the service at 12 noon at Lunning Chapel where the family will meet with friends. Burial will be held in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established in his memory to the Special Needs Foundation or Sunnyside Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Lunning Funeral Chapel.
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