Jerry Lee Butts

Dr. Jerry Lee Butts passed away quickly on July 15th at his home in south Ft. Collins. Born April 8, 1944 as the first of two children to Harold and Kathryn Butts in Sault St. Marie, Michigan, but raised primarily in Bremen, Indiana.

Jerry was an active young man and a talented athlete at Lakeville High School, class of 1962. He chose Purdue University for college where he was a member of the Crew team and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He went on to earn a Bachelors degree in Forestry Management in 1966. Following college, he was selected for Officer School with the US Marine Corps where he earned his commission and eventually his pilot wings. Jerry achieved the rank of Captain and flew mostly helicopters, including a tour in Vietnam. After his service, he came west to see the mountains and work for the State Forest Service. While in Colorado he met his beautiful wife of 38 years, Margie Altergott of Windsor, CO. Shortly after their marriage in 1972, he decided to become a veterinarian and attended Colorado State University, earning his doctorate in 1980. He started a successful practice, Orchard Animal Hospital, in north Loveland, and operated it for 31 years until his death.

Jerry and Margie had three children together, Jason, Lindsey, and Kevin. He was a tireless family man, friend, patriot, and an avid outdoorsman, passionate about hunting, fishing, racing dirt bikes and shooting. His role in the community as an "old fashioned" and caring veterinarian with a lovable sense of humor will be missed enormously.

He is survived by his wife, Margie and their three children; mother, Kathryn Butts; his uncle, John Campbell (Virginia); sister, Rhonda Laidig (Kurt); numerous nieces and nephews; and five grandchildren who greatly enriched his later years.

A celebration of his life will be held at Timberline Church, 2908 S. Timberline Rd. in Ft. Collins including military honors, starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, in the main auditorium. A closed casket visitation will take place at the church starting at 9:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com. How lucky we are to have had someone in our lives that makes saying goodbye so hard.

How lucky we are to have had someone in our lives that makes saying goodbye so hard.