Robert Henry (Bob) Butler Sr.

Robert Henry (Bob) Butler, Sr. passed away April 18th at the age of 88.  He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

Bob was born September 26, 1930 to William Tecumseh Butler and Louise (Battle) Butler. He was the oldest of four children, including sisters Louise, Harriett and Marlon. He had a life of rich fulfillment with his family and a life of disappointment as a fan of the Cleveland Browns and Indians.

Bob graduated from Hughes High School in 1948 and played trumpet in the high school band. He joined the Navy at the age of 17. He served for 20 years and retired in 1968 as a senior chief, E-8, the second highest enlisted rank in the military. He served aboard five naval ships and was stationed on shore duty in Boston; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Alameda, California.

In Boston Bob met Leola Moore. They married in July, 1951 and had five children; Maxine, Robert, Jr, Alicia, Mark and Melissa. He made several cruises to the Western Pacific where Leola always sent him with a shopping list for fine china or porcelain dolls. Leola passed away in 1989. Bob especially loved jazz and passed that love to his all of children. Maxine is an accomplished singer. He passed down his trumpet, first to son Robert, then to great-grandson Zion who is currently taking lessons.

After his retirement from the Navy, Bob worked for Applied Technology in Sunnyvale then became a supervisor in 1972 at the Thrifty Drugs Distribution Center in San Leandro. He moved with the company when it relocated to Reno in 1976. He retired from Thrifty in 1989 and went to work at the Starlight Bowl for two years. He went to work at the Peppermill Casino in 1992.

The following year he approached co-worker Marites Olazo about going on a date. She eventually agreed. They married in 1994 and Bob adopted 9-year old Leya Kerr and 7-year old Liz Kaylean. The girls called him Uncle Bob but, in a celebration of his 85th birthday, Leah Kerr wrote both girls considered him their father. Bob and the family were members of Sparks Christian Fellowship.

Bob retired for the final time at the age of 75. He belonged to the Fleet Reserve Association and was an honorary member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Bob was preceded in death by his father and mother and sisters Marlyn and Louise.

He leaves behind his wife, Thez, children, Maxine, Robert, Alicia, Mark, Melissa, Leya Kerr and Liz Kaylean; sister Harriett, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews and friends.

Services are at 3pm Wednesday, May 8 at Sparks Christian Fellowship, 510 Greenbrae Drive, Sparks, NV 89431, preceeded by military internment at 11am at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Bob’s favorite charity, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. https://fbnn.org/in-memory-of-robert-butler