Joshua Dean Butler

SANTA FE - Joshua Dean Butler was born on October 5, 1978, and passed away on September 23, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. He was an inspiration of courage and perseverance to those who knew him. His love for his wife and children and his example of determination in the face of adversity gave his life purpose and meaning. The support of his family and the Santa Fe community helped to sustain him. It was his deep faith in God that allowed him to endure the trials of ALS.

Joshua was an Honor Graduate from Santa Fe High School in 1997 and graduated from Texas Tech University in 2003. After graduating from Texas Tech, he was employed by Boeing as a financial analyst and by the Santa Fe Independent School District as a teacher and coach. While attending Texas Tech, Josh met Jenn and they were married in 2005. Joshua was diagnosed with ALS in 2010, and by the grace of God and the care of his wife Jenn and mother Jackie, he survived the ills of this mean disease for 15 years. The support of the Santa Fe community was evident throughout his battle with ALS. ALS had a big impact on his life, but it did not define who he was. What defined him was his faith, his compassion, his dedication to his family, his example of courage, his ability to remain grateful in adversity, and his optimism in spite of daunting odds. He was a devout Christian and attended Arcadia Christian Church.

The brand, #StrongWhenWeak, an "X" social media account that Josh created, was subsequently adopted for a non-profit organization created by friends of Josh whose mission was to raise funds to promote ALS Awareness, fund ALS Research, and establish a Community Outreach Program that helped those in need in the Santa Fe community. Josh managed the accounting of the funds raised by #StrongWhenWeak and actively participated in the planning and the execution of the organization's many activities.

Josh is survived by his wife, Jennifer; sons, Jeran and Jace; and daughter, Jaylee; parents, Dean and Jackie Butler; brother, Jake and wife, Janna Butler; sister, Jadah and husband, Ryan Micks; father and mother-in-law, Wendell and Jenny Neff; grandmother-in-law, Nell Sharp; brother-in-law, Clay Neff; nephews, Jack, Reed, and Luke Micks, Clayton, Brady and Kyler Neff; nieces, Jaymasen, Jaysa, and Jayde Butler.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday, September 28, at 2:00 p.m. at Arcadia Christian Church, 14201 Beriton Street, Santa Fe, Texas. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary and Fellowship after the service in the Sanctuary also.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to #StrongWhenWeak via Venmo account #Strongwhenweak @Strongwhenweak or mail donation to StrongWhenWeak, 2442 Three Oaks Drive, Santa Fe, TX 77517.