COL JEROME J. BUTLER, Jr To TAPS

Col. Jerome J. Butler, Jr. (USA Ret.) passed on during the evening of October 24, 2020, at Suncoast Hospice Care Center Mid-Pinellas at the age of 97.

Col. Butler is survived by a son, Jerome J. Butler III (Yvonne), a daughter, Katherine Butler (John Tomasino), four grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. Col. Butler was predeceased by his wife Isabelle in 1998.

Col. Butler was born in New York City Dec. 7, 1922, and grew up in Manhattan and the Bronx. After marrying and young Jerome’s birth, he was drafted into the Army and served in the South Pacific during World War II until 1946. After his return, he held several jobs as he pursued his education at Fordham University until 1949, when he rejoined the Army through a special program for future officers in the Finance Corps. During his career he completed his education ”after hours” at Washington University St. Louis and at the University of Maryland, and was sent by the Army to Syracuse University for an MBA degree. After many relocations, he rose to his final rank as Commandant of the Army Finance School at Ft. Harrison in Indianapolis, IN.

Col. Butler retired in 1973, and accepted a position as Vice President of Finance and Treasurer at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, IN.

He then retired in 1979 and moved to Treasure Island, FL, where he dabbled in real estate and continued to serve the College as Director of Planned Giving.

Shortly after Isabelle passed on in 1998, Col. Butler moved to Terrace Park of Five Towns.

A funeral mass was held at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 31, 2020, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. .