Obituary of Larry Butler of Richland Parish Louisiana as published in the Richland Beacon News, January 24, 2002 Submitted by for the USGenWeb Archives by Dot Golliher, 08/01/2004 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Larry Butler Funeral services for “Coach’ Larry Butler, 58, of Start, were held January 21, 2002, at Woodlawn Baptist Church, with Rev. Robert Butler and Dr. Alan Miller officiating. Burial followed in Forest Cemetery, in Forest, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home. Coach Butler died January 18,2002 in Cleveland, MS, doing what he loved most-coaching basketball. He was born August 24, 1943, in Forest to Bonnie and R.M. Butler. He graduated from Forest High School and Northeast Louisiana State College, earning a degree in Physical Education and a Masters Plus-30. While at Northeast, he played basketball under Coach Lenny Fant. After graduation, he joined the faculty of Start High School , where he remained for 36 years. While at Start, he taught American history, served as principal and coached boys basketball and track. Last year, he retired as principal of Start Junior High School and joined the faculty of Riverfield Academy, where he taught world history and civics and coached girls basketball. Coach Butler was deeply committed to the Start community and school. He carried the commitment to his team at Riverfield. His greatest passion was coaching and teaching youngsters. He touched many heats during his life and will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lorraine Bonner Butler; one son, Lance Michael Butler and wife, Shannon, of Baton Rouge; daughters, Stacy Nicole Butler, of Shreveport, and Kristy Butler LaCroix and husband, Mike of Rayville; and two grandsons, Brock Bonner Butler of Houston, Texas, and Tyler Craig Dufour of Baton Rouge. Coach Butler’s grandsons were the light of his life. They spent many hours sharing stories, playing ball and riding tractors. He is also survived by his parents, Bonnie and R.M. Butler; brothers; Henry Butler and wife Wanda, Jim Butler and wife Kathy, Mike Butler and wife Maria, Robert Butler and wife Katherine, and Prentiss Butler and wife, Debra; sisters, Melba Sandifer and husband, Butch, Jean Hogan and husband, Marvin, and Donna Coffin and husband, Steve; and numerous nieces and nephews. Coach Butler was preceded in death by grandparents, William Samuel and Tiny Fortenberry Butler, and Henry and Bertha Fairchild; and mother and father-in-law Viola and Lucien Bonner. Serving as pallbearers were Harold Kelley, Mike Vining, Doyle Hammons, David Moore, Doug Moore and Lee Mc Donald.