Name: Visitation for Gerald L. "Jerry" Butts
Start: 2024-10-31T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-11-01T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. - Moline

Gerald "Jerry" L. Butts

November 26, 1930 - October 23, 2024

He was the original "boots on the ground,' guy.

If a thought hit him from his Moline-based insurance office, Gerald "Jerry' Butts would drop everything and knock on the door of the mayor, the publisher of the local newspaper or anyone else he thought would listen.

Thing is, when Jerry Butts knocked…Everyone stopped…And they listened.

Humble to a fault and armed with a reporter's gift to gather information from all involved, Jerry left us recently at age 93, having left an unforgettable mark on HIS community and the communities surrounding it.

The mundane facts will tell you Jerry was a co-founder and first President of Renew Moline, an award-winning development partner to the City of Moline that spurred public and private collaboration and produced $400 million for the development and redevelopment of Moline. It will not tell you the countless hours, days, weeks, months and years he spent nurturing relationships in a way only he could. Calling such an amazing man a "people' person would be the understatement of all time. Jerry could bridge a political gap and work for both sides of the aisle, standing firm with captains of industry all while making sure every step he took, every vow he made, was done to benefit every person within the framework of the community served.

With respect to many, he was easily the world's kindest arm-twister, because his ideas, his vision and his intent – was at all times – genuine and from the heart. Jerry was a man of character, of great humor and was considered by any and all who knew him as the world's kindest arm-twister. To honor his and another co-founder's contribution, the City of Moline proclaimed October 22, 2024 "Jerry Butts and John Slover Day," recognizing them for their longtime commitment and dedication to the downtown and the City of Moline.

It must be noted, there was a business side to this compassionate servant of his community. His Renew Moline work was on top of a 61-year career in insurance, the perfect career for a man who loved people, wanted to see them better their lives and plan for a future. You simply trusted Jerry to do what was right for you personally and for the betterment of the city he loved.

After attending Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN and Millikin University in Decatur, IL and serving in Army Intelligence in Alaska during the Korean Conflict, he came home and began a career in insurance. Having earned a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1960, he arrived in Moline a year later and took a Vice President position with Oakleaf-Tarbox Insurance, Inc. He acquired full ownership of the agency in 1972 and changed its name to Oakleaf-Butts Agency, Inc. Under his leadership, the agency served personal and commercial clients in the Quad Cities and beyond. He sold it in 1995 and continued to work for what is now Cleveland Insurance Group for another 9 years, until he retired at the age of 83. He also served Independent Insurance Agents Association of Illinois as a past President.

Jerry's commitment to the community did not stop there. A member of Rotary Club of Moline for 62 years, he served as a past President and, in 2009, was honored as Rotarian of the Year. Jerry also served on the boards of several local healthcare and educational foundations, including as President of Black Hawk College Foundation. He was also a longtime member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Jerry's start did not foreshadow his busy, productive life. He was born on November 26, 1930, in a log cabin on a relative's farm near Franklin, KY. His parents had landed there in the midst of the Great Depression. Reflecting on his long life and unexpected journey, he said he felt that he had been greatly blessed.

Survivors include son, Kevin (Robin) Butler of Barrington, IL; daughter, Kendra DiPaola of Princeton, NJ; daughter, Kathleen (Chris) Popp of Troy, MI; grandchildren, Lauren Butler, Karie Butler, David Butler, Marcus DiPaola, Anna DiPaola, Bryce Downing, Peyton Downing; brothers, Wesley (Margaret) of Bowie MD and Tom Butts of Decatur, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Patti Butts and Linda Butts.

Memories may be shared online at www.esterdahl.com.

Memorials may be made to Renew Moline.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline, IL. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday, October 31st from 4-7 p.m. Burial will be at the Rock Island National Cemetery.

Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd.

6601 38th Ave.

Moline, IL 61265

(309)736-7100

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Quad-City Times on Oct. 27, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerald Butts

Sponsored by Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. - Moline.

4 Entries

Jilane Laster

October 31, 2024

I always say I love my job. One big reason is because I meet and get to know some amazing people. I've been cutting Mr. Butts hair for 10 plus years. I've learned alot about him over the years. He loved his family and look forward to their phone calls. He also loved and was very passionate about helping his community. I admire him for that. He had the best sense of humor and always had smile on his face no matter how much pain he may have been in. I'd always ask how he was doing. He's tell me a few stories and then say, "ya know I still keep the door unlocked just incase some young lady ever wants some company." Lol. We would both just laugh. Last year he kept saying idk if ill make it to 93. I said sure you will. You're not going anywhere on me. Over the years I kept telling him if he ever wanted me to come to him to cut his hair I would. I seen how hard it was getting for him to get around. He loved going to Starbucks everyday and once a month come to the Barbershop. I finally got the phone call asking if I could come cut his hair. I remember the first time going to his house. He told me when I got there to just come in. I walked him and said Mr Butts? He was waiting in the kitchen. I said, "you always said you'd leave the door unlocked." We both chuckled. I cut his hair at his house from that day on. After I was done I would sit at the table or in his living room listening to him tell stories about his family. His kids and grandkids mostly. He told me about all of his accomplishments in life and he had such glow while talking about it. He was proud and loved doing everything he did. His goal was to turn 94 and to see what happens with the election. When I would leave he would always thank me and tell me how appreciative he was. The last time as I was leaving he said, "I don't know of I'll make it to 94 or not but I'm going to try." I looked at him and said, " Mr. Butts do you believe in God? He said,"yes." I said, " when you go you'll be ok. God and all your friends will be right there waiting for you so it's ok if you don't make it to your bday here." He look up at me and said, "yeah you're right. I've out lived all of my good friends." I just smiled at him and told him, "you've lived a long good life and you are a very strong man. When you're ready God will be waiting." I left that day glad we had that conversation. I had a feeling it was the last haircut. A few weeks later I drove by and seen his sign wasn't on his door. I called him. He was in the hospital. We talked a couple minutes and I told him to keep me posted. I call him a few days later and you could hear it in his voice. He was very weak and tired. He said, " they are trying to keep me alive. Say a prayer for me." I said, " I will, God bless you and take care. I'll see you later." A couple days later I got a text that he passed.

His Birthday is November 26th. He almost made. He will be missed dearly!

The Lord saw you getting tired And a cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you And whispered "Come with me". With tearful eyes, we watched you suffer And saw you fade away, Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay.

RIP Mr. Butts

Jilane Laster

Kirb Chin

October 30, 2024

Jerry was a fine man and one of the architects of downtown Moline. His contributions to the community, in concert with the likes of John Slover, Jerry Taylor, Don Margenthaler, and Bob Hanson, cannot be overstated or fully appreciated.

Clark R Miner

October 28, 2024

To know Gerry was a privilege for sure. I was so fortunate to be a part of projects that he was involved with.
He was. An excellent speaker. Very entertaining and informative.
He could make me laugh and or smile every time I had the pleasure of being in his presence.
He brought value and professionalism to all he was interested in.
To his family, I hope you were aware of what a good man he endeavored to be.
Comfort to you all at this time of adjustment and change that living life gives us.
Rest in peace.

Angel

October 28, 2024

So sorry for your loss!! We loved taking care of him. He was so lucky to have Robbie to be there for so long!!

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