Roland Marion Butler

Mr. Roland Marion Butler

Ringling- Funeral Services are scheduled for Mr. Roland Marion Butler, 73, of Ringling at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Ringling with Dr. Virgil (Bob) Trout officiating and Neil Cox providing the eulogy. Interment will follow at Ringling Memorial Cemetery. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Funeral Home in Ringling.

Roland was born March 20, 1936 at Shady Point, OK to the late Mr. Roy Livingston and Mrs. Celia Florence (Oliphant) Butler. He departed this life Monday August 10, 2009 at Ardmore.

Roland was born in Shady Point, OK to a struggling, yet determined family during the depths of the Great Depression. With many tasks to share among seven young children he had an affection for tending the family garden with his mother. Growing older the work changed and he would often travel to find it. Combining God-given talent with sheer toughness Roland excelled in baseball and football for the Poteau High School Pirates. For his accomplishments in football, he was named a Consensus High School All-American and granted a full scholarship to the University of Oklahoma in 1954. He ended his football and academic career at Central State in Edmond, OK and was the kissing captain his Senior year. He also met his future bride, Jeannine Butler, during his time at Central State marrying her May 6, 1960. They started their family in California where Roland began a career in finance, eventually having three children before returning to Oklahoma.

Continuing the trend of traveling to find work he was among the first group of American oilfield workers to enter communist China to drill for oil. Working a month on and a month off overseas, this job carried him to such places as Singapore, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia. During his 15 years in the oilfields, he was loved and respected by everyone he worked with including the natives. After retiring from the oilfield in 1991 he settled permanently in Ringling.

Over the next 18 years he spent the majority of his time helping to raise his grandchildren. Always seen at their ball games and events, “Poppy” was known to cheer loud and heckle the referees. “Poppy” honed many of their skills throwing passes, playing catch or shooting baskets in the yard. Not failing to mention how intelligent he was, he could always help with homework or answer any question they had.

Roland Butler will be forever remembered for various things he may have done or said, but our family will remember him as a handsome, confident, intelligent and loving man that would have done anything for us. Poppy we love you with all our hearts. Roland was a member of the Church of Christ of Ringling.

Preceding him in death is his Parents.

Survivors include his beloved wife Mrs. Anna Jeannine (Cox) Butler of the home, 3 Daughters, Kirstie Sherman and husband Kelly of Lubbock, TX, Rolanda McCleary and husband Frankie of Ringling, and Rachelle Zachary and husband Mark of Norman.

Son, Ronald Butler, and wife Trina of Ringling. 2 Brothers, Rex Butler and wife Pat of Keys, OK, and Ronald Butler and wife Dama also of Keys, OK. 4 Sisters Mattye Hinds of Duncan, Jean Woolbright of Enid, Bobbie Proctor and Barbara Rockman and husband Marvin all of Talaquah. 9 Grandchildren and 1 great grandchild and numerous other family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Mike Faulkner, Mike Gandy, Jerry Gandy, Lyndal Van Buskirk, Joe Taylor, and Gary Scott Labeth.

Honorary Bearers will be Billy Wilson, Marvin Rockman, Kenny Dane, Jim Cox, Neil Cox, Syble Stanton, and J.B. Gray.

Family visitation will be Wed. evening from 6-8p.m. at the funeral home in Ringling.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org