Johnny Houston Butler, of Sparta, went to be with the Lord, on Feb. 13, 2025, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Born on July 12, 1944, in Monroe, Louisiana, he was raised by his loving parents, Milton “Pinky” and Catherine “Kitty” Butler and spent a great deal of time at La Casa, the family home site in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana.
Johnny attended Ouachita Parish High School where he played football and track, was elected to the Honor Society, and served as class president. He worked full-time as a truck driver, while simultaneously earning a math degree at Northeast Louisiana State College.
Johnny completed the Air Force’s officer training program and was selected for an AFIT assignment to Texas A&M, where he received a master’s degree in Computer Science. He served in Long Island, New York; Bryan, Texas; Dayton, Ohio; and Montgomery, Alabama, achieving the rank of captain during this critical time in our nation’s history.
Following his 11-year Air Force career, Johnny held senior computer management positions at Regions Bank, in Montgomery, Alabama; Holiday Inn, in Memphis, Tennessee; Deloitte and Touche, in Nashville, Tennessee; and Encore Software, in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Johnny married his loving wife of 42 years, Norma Kaye Butler, in Memphis, Tennessee, and they retired to their 100-acre farm outside of Alexandria, Tennessee, in 2004. The following year, they built a home, in Sparta, Tennessee. In retirement, Johnny enjoyed his land and cabin on Blue Mountain, quail and deer hunting, golf, camping, cooking, and woodworking. He loved his friends, family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, along with special dogs and cats that accompanied him throughout his life.
Johnny is survived by his wife, Norma Kaye Butler; his brother, Robby Butler and wife Linda Butler; his son, William Boyce Butler; and his daughter, Kathy Dean Cargile and son-in-law, Steve L. Cargile. He leaves behind two granddaughters, Anna Leigh Wilson and husband Coy Alexander Wilson and Lacey Alexandria Critz and husband Cody Marcus Critz; and two great-grandchildren, Cody Marcus Critz Jr. and Stevie Gray Dean Critz.
A memorial service will be held at a future date, with details to be shared later.
The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to cancer research, in Johnny’s honor.
Oak Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
