Joseph Thum Butler, Jr.
July 14, 1936 ~ April 28, 2026
The world changed when Joseph T. Butler, Jr. was born on July 14, 1936. This baby boy grew into a big-hearted man who embraced challenges with fierceness and resolve. Playing football at West High School groomed him to be an avid Ute fan who yelled out plays at football and basketball games. Graduating from the University of Utah launched him into a career of insurance sales, where he excelled as general agent of the Aetna Life and Casualty Company.
He would say his greatest accomplishment was his children Todd Butler, Tracie Judd (Steve), Richard Butler (Nikki); and the perfect grandchildren Taggert Butler (Alba), Hampton Butler (Jack Spicer), George Butler (Brynn), LuLu Butler, Ruby Butler, Posie Butler; and great-grandchildren Enzo and Isa Butler. He joyfully embraced Gabriella Giaquinto as his stepdaughter and her husband Jesse Hubbard, who won the title of Favorite Son-in-Law.   A special grandson, Van Hubbard, kicked a soccer field goal in honor of Joe on the day Joe passed into eternity. Not to be confined to Butler “blue blood lines,” Joe embraced Greg Hjartarson and Chris Stodghill as special sons who cared for him deeply.
Joe felt like he had joined the circus when he married Sharon in March 1994. Their marriage years were filled with laughter, intriguing conversations, quiet moments and world travel. Their motto that formed their marriage is “We are one,” which will endure into eternity.
Joe was wisdom, world perspective, a rock in a storm, acceptance of people with an understanding that was astonishing, and a cryptic sense of humor filled with “Butlerisms” that will be forever stored in the family treasure chest. He embraced the Catholic faith by baptism in September 2025 and was given the special Anointing of the Sick the day before he passed. St. Joseph came for him on April 28, 2026, to relieve him of all of his physical suffering. Now heaven will be forever changed by his presence.
A vigil service will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 from 6 until 8 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 E. Spring Lane, Holladay. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 7 at 11 a.m., also at St. Vincent de Paul. He will be laid to rest at Mount Olivet Cemetery. 
Arrangements entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor.   Share your photos and memories with his family at www.starksfuneral.com