Gale T. Butler

Gale T. Butler passed away April 18 at the age of 71, at the Kadlec Medical Center, in Richland, Wash. He had been struggling with COPD for the past three years and was recently diagnosed with intestinal cancer, which he could not overcome.

He was born in Colfax, Wash., on August 8, 1940 and grew up on his parent’s farm in Valleyford, Wash. For his junior and senior high school years, he transferred to Lind, where he lived with his Aunt, Blanche Ellis, and cousins, Garry and Larry Ellis. He graduated in 1958 and went to work for the railroad in Lind.

After he and Karol Christensen were married, they moved to Spokane where he attended Gonzaga University, graduating in 1963 with a business administration degree, staying on the honor roll all four years.

His work resume through the years showed some interesting and diverse job titles, but he was especially proud of his accomplishments as personnel manager of all Nalley’s Food Plants, being headquartered in Tacoma and traveling to the Los Angeles, Spokane and Vancouver, B.C. plants. He topped off his resume while on a “head hunting” trip to LA. There, he hired on a businessman that would alter become a successful president of the company. But the best calling for his “people loving personality” and uncanny humor, came as a bartender. After working over 20 years at the old Frontier Tavern in the Richland Parkway, he retired.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Florence Butler, Aunt Blanche and Garry and Larry Ellis and former in-laws, Percy and Ann Christensen.

He is survived by a son, Jerry (Renae) Butler; daughter, Donna (Andy) Wellington; granddaughters, Amie Butler and Tayler Welllington; all of Tri-Cities; and former wife of 15 years and long-time dear friend, Karol.

Per his request no services are scheduled. A memorial gathering is to be announced at a later date.