Raymond Val-Jean Butt, the son of Otto Henry and Ella Marie (Laumann) Butt, was born December 9, 1933, in Westboro, Missouri. He attended Tarkio High School, Tarkio, Missouri, graduating in 1951. He attended Northwest Missouri State College, Maryville, Missouri, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts. In 1955, Raymond entered the United States Army, proudly serving his country until receiving his honorable discharge in 1957.

Raymond was employed as an Industrial Arts teacher in Lewis, Iowa. In 1964, they consolidated with Griswold, Iowa, school, where Raymond retired in 1999. For 40 years, Raymond coached girls’ softball, which included a trip to the State Championship in 1985. He also coached girls’ basketball, girls’ track, drove a school bus, and was head of concessions for 40 years. Raymond has a strong passion for his popcorn! Following his retirement, the softball field was renamed “Raymond Butt Field” in honor of his dedicated coaching career.

During the summers, Raymond helped many farmers in the area. He worked the dirt, scooped ear corn to a sheller, and threw more hay bales than anyone. After retiring from school, Raymond spent many falls driving truck and helping the Jipsen’s with harvest until 2010. Raymond was a life member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Westboro and attended the United Congregational Methodist Church in Lewis. He was very proud sponsor when he baptized his God Daughter, Grete Olsen.

He was a very active 4H leader in the Lewis area and showed livestock at the Iowa State Fair. In 1999, he was awarded the Iowa State Fair “Man of the Day.” Raymond was a member of the Griswold Masonic Lodge, Cass Lodge #412 A.F & A.M., a longtime member of the Optimist Club, and a former member of the Lewis Volunteer Fire Department. He was also an avid Mizzou and Chiefs fan and had a huge collection of owls. Raymond passed away Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Atlantic Hospital, Atlantic, Iowa, at the age of 90.

In addition to his parents, Raymond was preceded in death by brother, Stanley Butt and wife, Mildred, and brother-in-law, Claire Olsen. Survivors include sister, Carolyn Olsen, Horton, Kansas; God Daughter, Grete Olsen, Manhattan, Kansas; numerous nieces and nephews, Fred Butt, Lisa Davis, Keith Olsen, Lelan Olsen, Steven Olsen, Kevin Olsen and Tina Gregory.

Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M., Friday, December 6, 2024, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Westboro.

Open visitation begins 9:00 A.M., Thursday, December 5, 2024, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 9:30-10:30 A.M., Friday, December 6, prior to the service.

Interment: St. John’s Cemetery, Westboro.

Memorials: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Westboro or Allen’s Place Assisted Living, Atlantic.

Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

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