Jonathan Newell Butler

Jonathan Newell Butler, age78, peacefully passed away on November 18, 2024 at Raintree Assisted Living. He was born to David Maxwell Butler and Barbara Jane Reeve Butler on April 15, 1946 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He spent his youth living in Ogden, UT; Scituate, MA; and Centerville, UT.

As an adolescent Jon had many friends with whom he shared adventures: riding the family horse, Lady; hiking in the mountains above his family home; playing in the “jungle” behind the home; digging something in the back field that he hoped would become a swimming hole (it didn’t).

He graduated from Bountiful High School where he enjoyed participating in the Madrigal Choir and in school musical productions. He took violin lessons from the notorious Mr. Beals, who terrified Jon. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and later attended Brigham Young University. He worked in the telecommunications field.

Jon lived a life more varied than most, if not all others we have known. He embraced a variety of spiritual beliefs and lived in numerous parts of the country where he welcomed many types of people as his friends. 

Jon married Nancy Kay Thoreson and they had two daughters, Emily and Andrea. Jon and Nancy were later divorced.

Jon is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, brother Reeve Butler, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by daughters Emily Baarz (Aaron) and Andrea Strickland (Shane), 6 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, siblings Alison Barber (Reed), David Butler (Barbara) and sister-in-law Debbie Butler along with numerous nieces and nephews.

The family extends gratitude to the staff at Raintree Assisted Living and Atlas Homecare and Hospice for their compassionate care of Jon. At Jon’s request his body was cremated and a private memorial will be held.