Harry Lee Butler

Harry Lee Butler, 83, passed away on June 27, 2024. Visitation will be held Friday, July 5, 2024, at 10 AM, immediately followed by his funeral at 12 PM, all located at Fry Funeral Home in Tipton, IA. Burial will be at the Tipton Masonic Cemetery.

Harry was born June 29, 1940, at home in Corydon, Iowa, and was the oldest of five children born to Clifford and Ruby Butler. He was fortunate to be raised by Ruby and her second husband, Gene Leazer.

Harry graduated from Seymour High School in 1959 and married his high school sweetheart, Helen “Renie” Davis on November 13, 1959, in Seymour. After being wed, the couple moved to Davenport, Iowa where Harry worked for the Rock Island Railroad for eleven years. During this time, they welcomed four sons, Ron, Tom, Bob, and Steve.

In 1974, Harry and Renie moved their family to the Tipton area where Harry worked swing shift at North Star Steel in Wilton for twenty-eight years. During this time, he enjoyed fishing, spending time with his siblings and in-laws in southern Iowa, and traveling across the United States while on vacation with his family. After his retirement in 2003, Harry cherished having more time with his wife and they were seldom seen apart. They spent many hours working on home projects for themselves and their children and grandchildren and never found a task they couldn’t tackle together, though Harry often joked that he was going to return to work so he could have a break. Together, they attended many of their grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s special events and enjoyed taking them on hiking and camping adventures.

Harry accepted Jesus as his savior as a youth and was an active member of the Cedar Street Baptist Church for many years. He was a quiet, humble man who provided a steady, dependable presence to his family throughout his life. He was most happy when the entire family could be together, and he quietly enjoyed being surrounded by the joy and chaos those days brought.

Harry is survived by his wife, Helen; their sons, Ron (Laurie), Tom (Dena), Bob (Bonnie), and Steve (Traci); fifteen grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Terry Leazer; infant granddaughter, Elise Butler; and daughter-in-law, Pam Butler.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Cedar Street Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.