James "Jim" Samuel Butler

James “Jim” Samuel Butler, 82, Sharpsville, passed away 7:29 pm Wednesday November 24, 2021, at IU Tipton Hospital. He was born in Kokomo on February 9, 1939, the son of the late Elmer J. and Helen D. (Harper) Butler. On November 4, 1968, he married Joyce McCoy, and she survives.

Jim was a 1956 graduate of Kokomo High School. He served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1960 and earned the rank of Private First-Class E-3. He worked at the Kokomo Police Department, Tipton Sheriff Department, and as a radio mc at WWKI. He retired from Delco Electronics/ Delphi after 30 years of service as a press operator. Jim’s greatest joys were Tri Central athletics and his family. He commentated Tri Central sports for 30 years. He was a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Kokomo and American Legion Post 6. Jim’s hobbies included fishing, kayaking, wood working, mule riding, and camping. Christmas was his favorite holiday because he loved playing Santa Clause for all who asked. He was such a kind man who others could truly look up to.

Jim is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joyce Sue (McCoy) Butler; children, Kelly (Tom) Worley, Kimberly (Norman) Hudson, Lora (Dennis) Richardson, Candy (Curt) Miller, Scott (Melonie) Butler; sisters, Ruthella Storer, Carol (Jack) Pickering; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jason Eller) Johnson, Andrea (Jason) Hattery, Mallory (Patrick) Keith, Joshua (Liz) Worley, Justin (Kirsten) Worley, Jordan (Kaelyn) Hudson, Katherine Hudson, Angie (Blake) Martin, Aaron (Christine) Richardson, Brittney (Jacob) Buck, Erik (Kylie) Richardson, Montreal Johnson, Taylor (Caleb) Querry, Claire Huff, Max Richardson, Kortney Butler, Kinley Butler, Joshua (Desarae) Welsh; 27 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; life-long friend, Jack Newton; dog, Tiny; and several foster children and children in the community he claimed as his own.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 7 pm Thursday December 2, 2021, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. Funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday December 3, 2021, at the funeral home, with Pastor David Welsh officiating. Burial will follow in Sharpsville Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. In addition to flowers, contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to the Tri Central Athletic Booster Club. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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