Ronald Butler

Ronald Bay Butler, age 95, passed away on May 25th, 2025, in Oceanside, CA.

Ronald was born in Jackson, WY, on October 29th, 1929, to parents Albert Nathan and Mary Edna Bay Butler.

Ronald’s childhood was spent in Jackson, WY, Oklahoma City, OK, Stanley, ID, and Richfield, Utah. After graduating, he spent some time at Snow College in Ephraim before a year at the University of Utah. His course of study was Chemistry.

His college progress was put on hold while he served an LDS Mission. He was called to the Texas-Louisiana mission of the church. Ronald spent time in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lake Charles. While on a mission, he decided his background in chemistry would be compatible with earning a medical degree. He applied to Georgetown, Northwestern, Tulane, and the University of Utah, and was accepted at all four. Ronald chose the U of U. He worked as a chemist at a cement plant in Salt Lake City to pay for his tuition.

While attending medical school, Ronald met and married Carole Leah Henderson. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 30th, 1954.

Ronald completed an internship in Ogden and decided to pursue a degree in Pathology. When that was finished, he was inducted into the Army and was sent to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he served a two-year tour of duty.

At the conclusion of his military service, Ronald moved his little family, which was now Carole and four children, to Provo, Utah. He became a pathologist at Utah Valley Hospital, where he worked until retirement in 1988. In that time, He and Carole welcomed two more children.

After retirement, Ronald spent his time with family, caring for his wife, who had health issues, and occasionally traveling. He loved seeing new places and visiting national parks and different locations that dovetailed with his hobby of geology. Ronald also had a real love for language and the etymology of language. Ron was also very knowledgeable about all things space and physics, having a special interest in quantum-level study. He also adored reading and instilled this love in his children. He always had a love for LDS Church History, scripture study, and serving in his various church callings. He was very involved in the Boy Scouting program as a leader in his ward.

Ronald was preceded in death by his wife, Carole, and three of his children: Brian, Kendall, and Jeffrey. He is survived by his daughter Eliza (Elaine) Bryant, his son Dan Butler, and his daughter Tammy Merryweather. He also has several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Ronald Bay Butler lived a life of perpetual study, great integrity, and much success, although he would probably disagree, as he was also self-deprecating as a personality trait. He had many struggles, as do we all, but he navigated them with persistence and hope. His curiosity throughout life will no doubt continue on into the next. We love you, Dad, and we will miss you! Until we meet again!

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