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Rick Minor (Rick), CS3
to remember
Kubo, Stanley (retiredcg), MKC USCG(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Seattle, WA
Last Address po box 343 conconully, wa 98819
Date of Passing Feb 14, 2021
Location of Interment Washington Memorial Park - Sea Tac, Washington
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Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
I hunt & fish. We moved to eastern washington four years ago. My wife opened up a little shop to sell her odds & ends and that keeps her busy, while I go fishing.
CW2 James E. Butler, USCG Retired, 97, Conconully/Omak, crossed the bar April 8, 2017.
Born in Tonasket, Wash. on May 1, 1919 to Thomas and Anne Butler, Jim’s family moved frequently around the country before settling on Vashon Island.
Growing up during the depression, Jim joined the Civilian Conservation Corps as a truck driver. Just prior to WWII, Jim enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He spent 26 years as an Engineman finally serving as Engineering Officer at Seattle’s Captain of the Port, now known as Coast Guard Base Seattle. He was stationed on many Lighthouse sites from Oregon to Alaska. Jim had many interesting and varied assignments during his career. One activity that he volunteered for and enjoyed the most was as a proud and rowdy member of the Seattle Seafair Pirates. He also volunteered many hours as a Boy Scout Volunteer.
Early in his military career, Jim reconnected with high school sweetheart, Nevada Pedersen. After a short courtship, the two were married on Orcas Island. This began a long love affair with each other, the sea and the woods. Jim and Nevada loved hunting and fishing in the Okanogan Valley. They spent any spare hours in Conconully enjoying the lakes and woods. Just prior to his retirement from the Coast Guard, Jim and Nevada bought a rundown hunting and fishing camp in Conconully. Through hard work and perseverance (and a little slave labor from their son) they built Liars Cove into a thriving concern. After a number of years and needing a new challenge, the two go getters sold Liars Cove and started Sports Unlimited, an RV sales and repair business in Omak.
After selling this second successful business, Jim and Nevada began a retirement ritual which would continue for years. Spending summers in Lund, British Columbia, they would fish and clam. As the weather turned cool, they would travel to their winter quarters on the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, trading Baja for Indio, Calif. in their later traveling days.
After giving up their traveling ways, Jim and Nevada settled in Conconully. Jim put his Journeyman Carpenter skills to use refurbishing an older home for the couple but fishing continued to be the major focus for the Butlers. In 2004, in order to be closer to medical facilities, Jim and Nevada moved to The Springs in Omak. Jim developed an affinity for vegetable gardening. Jim’s production of tomatoes graced the tales and windowsills of family and friends far and wide.
Jim was a proud, outspoken and opinionated member of the Greatest Generation. If, in his opinion, things weren’t moving fast enough to suit him he would take charge and move ahead. Thinking his son was taking too long, Jim took it upon himself to propose to Tom’s future wife Sherry before Tom had a chance. Never mind it was only 3 weeks into Tom and Sherry’s courtship. It took Tom another 5 months to propose.
Jim’s favorite holiday was Christmas. He loved being with family and friends at this time of year and particularly loved wearing his crazy Santa hat.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife Nevada, brother Robert, half-brother Ty Cunningham, Half-sister Ella Carley, son-in-law William Musselman and great-grand daughter Megan Busby.
Jim is survived by daughter Karen Musselman of Omak, son Tom (Sherry) of Lake Stevens, Wash., five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Jim’s gruff exteriors and marshmallow center will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Fair winds and following seas, sir!
Additional Notes: Nevada Butler grew up in a Coast Guard family. Her father was one of the old lighthouse keepers. When she was a little girl her father was the keeper of Tatoosh Island off of the Northwest corner of the state of Washington. At the time they shared the island with the Navy and went to school on the island. Years later after marring she went back and became the Post Master at tatoosh.
While stationed in Alaska Nevada was in an airplane wreck and broke her back. She layed for hours before help arrived. You would never know from looking at her that she had back troubles because she never complained and always had a smile on her face.
