Rodney Blaine "Butch" Macklem

Rodney Blaine “Butch” Macklem was a beloved father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, and friend. He went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 26th, 2025, in Mansfield, Texas. He was 76 years old.

He often attended Keystone Church in Keller, Texas, and belonged to American Legion Post #624 in Mansfield, Texas.

Butch was a jack of all trades. He could do anything. He was a farmer, a truck driver, supervisor for Strorer Cable in Grand Prairie, Texas, and owner of RB Contractors of Texas, Inc. He loved riding his motorcycle including charity rides with his friends at the American Legion. He was also an avid camper and would often take his RV to Joe Pool Lake where he enjoyed fishing and boating with many of his friends. He also loved to ride horses and go hunting. Unexpectedly, he developed a soft spot for cats, especially his girl, Sunday.

In his younger years, he was truly a cowboy. He grew up on a farm in Hubbard, Nebraska and later worked together with his brother Maurice Franklin “Skip” Macklem and their families to run a family farm in Westfield, Iowa. In his 40’s the great cable boom brought him to Texas where he finally settled and lived out his remaining years in Venus.

Butch was a proud father of his four daughters and found no greater joy than spending time with them. He also loved spending time with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He often spent summer vacations with his granddaughter Gabriella Parkey and great-granddaughter Trinity Blanton. He would also attend sporting events, go to festivals, attend church, and do other fun things with his grandchildren.

Butch is preceded in death by his father Thomas Lee Macklem, his mother Esther Henrietta Macklem (Lussier), and his half siblings: Thomas Henry Macklem II, William Wayne Macklem, Patricia Jean Macklem, and Mavis Ruth Dunlap (Macklem).

 He is survived by his sister Sandra LaRusso Hartley (Macklem), brother Maurice Franklin “Skip” Macklem, daughters Amy Macklem of Sioux City, Iowa, Sonya Parkey (Macklem) of Keller, Texas & her husband Steven Parkey, Vonice “Nessie” Wallace of Rowlett, Texas and her husband Larry Wallace, and Justina Macklem of Salt Lake City, Utah, along with 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, November 6th, 2025, at Skyvue Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 2pm on Friday, November 7th, 2025, at Skyvue Funeral Home with a cremation to follow. After the funeral service, a gathering will be held afterward at American Legion Post #624, 951 FM 917, Mansfield, TX 76063.

Butch will be later laid to rest next to his parents at the Logan Park Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa.

Everyone loved Butch for his soft, kind, & tender demeanor. He will always be in our thoughts and forever in our hearts. Rest in peace and we will see you on the other side one day “cowboy”.