Jim Butterfield

Rulon James Butterfield, Jim, gracefully passed on surrounded by his dear family on November 25, 2025 after courageously facing leukemia.

Born on August 19, 1947 to Wallace Rulon and Juanita Pierce Butterfield in Salt Lake City, Jim lived his whole life in what was once an open field and is now known as the city of Cottonwood Heights. As a member of the founding class of Hillcrest High School, he was among the first to matriculate entirely as a Husky and participate in selecting the legendary colors and mascot. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1972 with a degree in Computer Science. Always a fan, Jim was a longtime season ticket holder beginning with the iconic 1984 national championship football season.

Jim's three great loves were the Lord, his family, and music.

Jim was a choir dad, a soccer dad, a dance dad, and a marathon dad, and most of all he was a father of dad jokes. He never missed a dance recital or choir performance or even choir tour; when his daughters did Christmas caroling tours of nursing homes, Jim followed the girls to each and every performance. He was a soccer coach and marathon trainer to his sons, logging more than 2,500 miles riding his bicycle alongside them to set their running pace.

Just as devotedly as he loved and supported his children, Jim is remembered for his quiet insistence that things be done the right way. Clothes were never left damp in the washing machine or forgotten in the dryer, and the clocks were adjusted to the exact second. For Jim, every task-no matter how small-was worth the time and care to do well.

As a profound lover of music, Jim sang in the Utah Symphony Choir, Salt Lake Choral Artists, and Salt Lake Vocal Artists. His proudest performance was singing Rachmaninov's Vespers at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. We think of him when we hear these lyrics he loved, "I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free."

Jim was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; he was a builder of the Butler 10th ward both physically and spiritually. Jim loved serving in his many callings, though teaching was by far his favorite. He served a mission in Sao Paolo, Brazil and later with his wife, Barbara, in the Salt Lake City East Mission. He loved his home ward, joking near the end of his life, "the last thing you're going to do with me is take me through the door of the Butler 10th ward; I lived there my whole life." No matter the particular calling or place, Jim was someone who lifted where he stood.

Jim and Barbara Taylor were married on April 3, 1970 in the Salt Lake Temple. Their officiator said their future children were right alongside them, rejoicing. During their 55 beautiful years of loving marriage, Jim never had Barbara open her own car door, always remaining a classic gentleman. They are the proud parents of 7 children and 26 grandchildren. Their love will always be remembered through the cherished image of Barbara and Jim slow dancing at their granddaughter's wedding just months before the onset of his illness.

Jim's devotion and loyalty will live in beloved memory with all who knew him. As a computer systems analyst who worked originally for IBM then started his own company, Jim was sneakily answering work calls from his hospital bed. Jim traveled across the country over and over again to reach each one of his grandchildren's important events and as a road companion to his daughters and granddaughters as they moved, always proudly saying he's traveled the entirety of I-80. He's the kind of guy who's had the same barber since 1984, and the kind of guy whose barber comes to the hospital to cut his hair for one last time –– thanks Sherm.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, sister Sherrie Shoell, niece Amy Martin, and granddaughter Ainslee. He is survived by his wife, Barbara and their children: Randy (Mel), Russell (Heather), Ryan (Jenn), Justin (Jodie), Amber Gates (Michael), Laura May (Brandon), and Tonia Garner (Travis). He is also survived by many grandchildren, nieces, great nieces and nephews, sister Christie Martin, and brother-in-law David Shoell.

Jim wants to thank the nurses, doctors, aids, and other providers that cared for him at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Utah Cancer Specialists. Throughout his care, he always spoke glowingly of both the facilities and staff, saying, "These guys take such good care of me, this is such a special place."

We wish we could conclude with a dad joke, but it would be inappropriate – we don't want to make a "faux pa."

Services will be held at the Greenfield Chapel, 6634 S. Greenfield Way in Cottonwood Heights, with a viewing Friday, November 28, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 PM. Funeral services at 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 29 with viewing at 10:30 AM prior to the service.