
Obituary
Thursday
6
February
Visitation
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Loch Arbor Baptist Church
3960 Hwy 139
Monroe, Louisiana, United States
Thursday
6
February
Funeral
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Loch Arbor Baptist Church
3960 Hwy 139
Monroe, Louisiana, United States
Interment
Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery
623 E. Highway 80
Monroe, Louisiana, United States
Obituary of James E. Butler
Please share a memory of James E. to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
James Edward Butler, born on September 2, 1956, in Wichita Falls, TX, finished his earthly life as a resident of Monroe, LA, and started living his eternal life with his Savior, his youngest daughter, and his parents on Monday, February 3, 2025.
He is survived and missed by his loving wife, Lu Ann Butler; sibling, Renee Lemsky (Mark); sister-in-law, Denise Hamilton; children Robert Butler (Shannon), Frances Anne Manning (Dennis), Gloria McRae-Spencer (Duncan), Travis Fowler (Holli), Tyler Fowler (Amanda); grandchildren Connor Hutchins (Diana), Chase Hutchins, Jameson Jones, Hannah McRae-Spencer, Jemma Jones, Amelia McRae-Spencer, Saylor Schrock, and Tyler Henley Fowler; great-granddaughter Bella; and numerous extended Guice family. James is preceded in death by his daughter, Allison Katherine Butler, and his parents, Edward and Frances Butler. With his eyes towards eternity, James’s later years were marked with comforting others from the comfort he received from God (2 Corinthians 1:4).
The family will receive friends at Loch Arbor Baptist Church, 3960 LA-139, Monroe, LA, at 10:00 am on Thursday, February 6. The celebration of life service to honor James will begin at 11:00 am in the same location. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to: The Compassionate Friends of Northeast Louisiana, 2801 Bramble Dr., Monroe, LA 71201.
Serving as pallbearers will be Robert Butler, Jonathan Lemsky, Trent Guice, Terry Roberson, Kenny Buffington, and Derek Lopez.
Transformed – 2 Corinthians 3:18
As a butterfly is transformed in stages, so was James. He did not speak a lot about his faith, yet his life spoke volumes. When James was a young boy, his parents began teaching him about Jesus. Beginning in Junior High, James began to perform magic at his church as a way to share the Gospel. He almost burned down the church during one of his performances! His parents always encouraged James to try new things. At 19, James began his career by working on computers, which were massive machines that took up an entire room. This was a new world. James worked hard throughout his life to become an excellent software developer, which became a career he loved for 49 years. James finished his career at Graphic Packaging.
The love for sharing magic never left his heart. James performed as an amateur magician, allowing him to bring joy to kids and adults throughout his 68 years of life on this earth. James’s granddaughters especially enjoyed the magic shows Pop Pop would perform for them.
A magic trick James showed once with hundreds of kids and adults at camp was how three ropes kept getting tangled. He’d count to three, and magically, the ropes would untangle. The kids loved it, but the message he shared afterward was the real power. Paraphrasing James, sometimes our life gets so tangled up by our choices, mistakes, and sins that we don’t know how this mess can ever be untangled. Only God can come in, and one miracle at a time, untangle those ropes and transform us “into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Steadfast – Isaiah 26:3
Loyal, devoted, determined—steadfast. In 2006, James married the love of his life, Lu Ann. His steadfast commitment to Lu Ann grew and multiplied love. James understood Lu Ann’s reasoning that 1+1 doesn’t always equal two. Instead, it first equaled eight with James, Lu Ann, James’s four children, and Lu Ann’s two. Then, it grew to over a dozen, and now it’s over twenty. James’s and Lu Ann’s steadfast love for God, each other, their kids, and their grandkids grew and kept them in “perfect peace” because their trust was not in themselves, but in God. Even when the storms, disappointments, and heartaches of life happened, Dad, James, Pop Pop, was always there for his family, friends, and colleagues.
You Need Not Walk Alone – Psalm 23:4
James lost his 23-year-old daughter, Allison, in 2011, which started another transformational, but painful, stage. This brought shock and grief to him and his family. Weeks and months were spent looking for answers. James read numerous books about death and grief and listened to anyone who might comfort him or offer secrets of why. He shared that he wished he would have stopped asking “Why?” sooner and started searching for “What now?”.
It was in these searches when God stamped James’s eyes with the picture of eternity, a view that not many people possess.
James began to look for ways to help others. He found peace and acceptance when doing this and knew that he brought comfort to others, as well as himself, with the truth of the sovereignty of God. With over 13 years of experience, James devoted his time and efforts to being a grief educator. With his serene, confident, and comforting demeanor, James helped others open their eyes to experience the true picture of God’s eternity. The combination of knowledge and personal experience allowed James to offer empathetic and practical support, reassuring others that they are understood and not alone in their grief.
Finished Strong – 2 Timothy 4:7
James did not give in or cave when life’s sorrows and problems arose because he kept his eyes fixed on God’s eternity. He was a great man and affected many people’s lives, whether he knew them personally or not. James was always happy to help others. Sometimes, he wouldn’t take no for an answer, and he would always put the needs of others before his own. He always knew what people needed to hear and had a great sense of humor. If you were talking with Pop Pop, there was bound to be a joke somewhere in the conversation. James will be greatly missed by everyone but by no one more than his wife, Lu Ann.
We love you!
About Us
Golden Funeral Home has been an independent locally owned funeral service provider since 1924. Let us assist you in all of your funeral service needs. We are the only full service funeral provider in the area with the best services and prices.
Thank you, Staff of Golden
Our Location
2016 East Madison Avenue (Highway 165 N.)
Bastrop, Louisiana 71220
(318) 281-3171
Right across the street from McDonalds restaraunt