Obituaries : James Neil Butler

James Neil Butler, age 58, died Saturday, January 18, 2025, at his home in Keystone, unexpectedly.

A Celebration of James' life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dubuque Regional Humane Society in Dubuque, IA in memory of James.

James was born on September 11, 1966, in West Covina, CA to Rick and Carroll (Hill) Butler. He graduated from Davis County High School in Bloomfield, IA with the class of 1984. He graduated from Indian Hills Community College with an Associate of Science degree. He married Penny DeWitt in 1991, producing two beautiful daughters before the couple split in 2010. In 2014 he married Sheryl Haas, and the couple moved to Keystone. James was employed as a Technical Analyst throughout his working life.

James truly loved his family and friends, especially his grandbabies. He loved music, particularly Rock and Blues, and playing guitar. He was a knowledge enthusiast and spent hours following YouTube on many obscure subjects. James was intrigued by technology; he enjoyed playing video games and testing new forms of technology, most recently 3D printing. He was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan and was an accomplished pit-master. He loved to barbecue and share the deliciousness with family and friends. James was also an animal lover and spoiled his dogs through the years.

He is survived by his father, Rick (Chipper) Butler of Baker City, OR; his wife Sheryl of Keystone, IA; children, Camille (Jacob Odebrecht) Butler of Keystone, IA, Nicholas (Jamie) Butler of Blakesburg, IA, Hollyanne (Logan) Metzger of Story City, IA, Felicia (Alex Manemann) Murphy of Dubuque, IA, Brianna Murphy of Dubuque, IA, Conrad (Tamara) Butler of Colorado; 14 grandchildren, Sophia, Marshall, Gavin, Nyjah, Maleigha, Audrey, Justyce, Serenity, Owen, Abigail, Caydence, Jack, Murdoch, and Charlie; 2 brothers, Lenny (Sasha) Gazley, and Bobby Butler, all of Baker City, OR; 2 sisters, Jaymie Cargo of Leesburg, TX, and Joddi Marie Harkness of Yukon OK.

James was preceded in death by his mother Carroll Ornelas; his dear friends, Mike Gates, and Lee Foster; paternal grandparents, Willis Eugene Butler, Lois Alice Butler, and John Robert Butler; and his maternal grandparents, Ruth Elizabeth Hill, and B.C. Hill.

Online Condolences may be left at www.phillips funeralhomes.com.