Laurence Butcher

Laurence “Larry” Edward Butcher June 3, 1930 to April 10, 2024

Larry was born and grew up in Quincy, Illinois, where he developed a passion for music – playing the trumpet with numerous big bands of the era. He attended Interlochen National Music Camp in 1947. In 1951, he joined the United States Air Force and played lead trumpet for the Air Force Band of the Far East and spent two-and-a-half years in Tokyo, Japan.

He returned home in 1957 and attended, and then graduated from, the University of Texas in Austin in 1957. That same year, Larry and Marilyn Davison married – a marriage that lasted 67 years. After graduating, he joined Smith, Kline and French Laboratories, where he was employed for 32 years.

Larry was a man of many talents – building a large home in the mountains of Colorado, making beautiful furniture, and carving unique pieces. A particular affinity of his lay in clockwork, and after retirement, Larry became a certified clockmaker. In 1997, Larry and Marilyn moved to the Texas Hill Country and settled in Hunt, Texas, where they lived securely in the arms of this wonderful community for 26 years.

Of all their accomplishments, Marilyn and Larry considered their three children the best: Dan Butcher, JD, Tax Attorney, Sarah Sheiner, MD, doctor of internal medicine, and Tim Butcher, PhD, clinical psychologist. In reflecting on Larry’s life and passions, there were many. He loved his family and the great camping trips they took. He was enchanted by the Grand Canyon, which he and Marilyn visited often. He loved his friends, his church, travel, woodcarving, clocks, the animals of the woods, and always – always – MUSIC.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, his three children, Daniel Lee Butcher and wife Lynda Gwaltney Butcher, Martha Sarah Sheiner and partner John Amicarella, Andrew Timothy Butcher and partner Elizabeth White. His grandchildren are Callie Butcher and wife Ashton Barrineau Butcher, Will Butcher, Adam Scott and wife Martha Kang Scott, Aris Sheiner and wife Charlotte Jeauneau-Sheiner, Avery Sheiner, Rachel Butcher Conn and husband Ian Conn, Lauren Butcher, Andrew Butcher and wife Sky Williams Butcher, as well as David Butcher. His great-grandchildren are Rhys and Everett Butcher, Emerson Scott, and Persephone Conn.

A celebration of life shall be held on Saturday May 4, at 2pm at the Hunt United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hunt United Methodist Church and the Hill Country Youth Ranch. The family extends its immense gratitude to the entire community for their love and support.

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