Ted D. Butler

Ted (Teddy Dean) Butler went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at the age of 85. Ted was born May 12, 1938 in Okmulgee, OK to Alva and Iona Perkins Butler. Preceding him in death are parents Ab and Onie Butler of Morris, twin brother Freddy Gene Butler, two sisters, Helen Butler and Patsy Ellis and her husband Bob Ellis, two nieces Debby Sparks-Margiotta and Sherry Grimmett, two sons-in-law Darrin Smith and Stephen Williamson and first wife Peggy Butler. In-laws Frank and Eulela Kubicek and Betty Dennis Kubicek and brother-in-law Frank Ronald Kubicek. Survivors include his wife, Claudia of the home; daughter Beth Ann Penington and husband, JD of Hollis, OK ; daughter Rebecca Williamson of Tulsa, OK; Step-son Kyle Gregorio and wife Alicia of Okmulgee, OK. Grandchildren Kimberly (Penington) Dugger and husband Michael of Hollis, OK; Charity (Penington) Martin and husband Clayton of Altus, OK; Blake Burruss and wife, Rachel of Prosper, TX; Krista Sands of Muskogee, OK; Holly Chapman and her husband Joel of Oktaha, OK; Sarah-Lyn Rausch and husband Steven of Tulsa, OK; Jay Darrin Smith and wife Mackenzie of Muskogee, OK; Brianna Gregorio of Okmulgee, OK. Great grandchildren Heather, Abigail, Dexter, Claire, Carson, Barrett, Braylee, Addysion, Brycelyn, Gabriel, Andrew, Silas, and Jet. Nieces Amanda Sanderson and family of Tulsa, OK, Jamie Abney and family of Owasso, OK: and Nephew Tyler Sparks and family of Broken Arrow, OK. Ted attended Morris Public School and played high school football. He was All District Tackle his Jr. and Sr. year. He graduated Morris High School in 1956 and attended Central State College in Edmond, OK for one semester but when he didn’t make the football team he transferred to Connors State Junior College in Warner, OK where he played football. He continued his education and football career at the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR, where he lettered in football and track, earning his BS in Physical Education. He earned his Masters in Educational Administration from Northeastern State University, and EdD of Educational Administration from Oklahoma State University. In 1955, at age 17, Ted enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard. He also served in the US Marine Corp Reserve, US Air Force Reserve, and US Army Reserve. After serving in the Military for 35 years, in 1994 he retired from the Army Reserve as a Colonel. Because of his call to Active Duty in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crises, he is a Veteran of the Cold War. He was also called to active duty in the Persian Gulf War of 1991. His favorite time in the military was when he was Commander of Company A, 1st Battalion, 377th Regiment of Okmulgee, OK and having a part in Military Maneuvers in South Korea. Ted is a graduated of following Army Schools: Infantry Officers Basic and Advance courses, US Command and General Staff Course, and The Army War College. After moving back to Morris, OK he was a member of the White-Williams American Legion Post #10 and served as Post Commander. Ted was an educator for 22 years beginning his career as teacher/coach at Council Hill, OK. He continued as teacher/coach at Beggs, Jenks, and Broken Arrow. His administration positions were principal at Mary White Elementary, Haskell, OK, Eastside Elementary & Banneker Kindergarten in Okmulgee, OK and was Assistant Superintendent of Okmulgee Public Schools, Admin Assistant at Wewoka, OK and ended his career as Superintendent of Schools Felt, OK in 2000 and he returned to Morris, OK. Ted took a break from education after he left Jenks and worked for the Social Security Administration for 15 years and Oklahoma Farm Bureau for 2 before he returned to education. He also did custom hay bailing and he helped promote the tractor pull for the Tulsa State Fair as well as other pulls. He was a member First Baptist Church of Morris. Special thanks to the staff of Seasons Hospice of Muskogee for the wonderful care and loving support given during Ted’s final days. Funeral services, coordinated by McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee, will be held at 2 pm Saturday, November 11, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Morris, OK with Reverend Ray Moffeit officiating. Interment will follow at the Okmulgee Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jack Crenshaw, Harold Watkins, Bill Byars, Jimmy Lee, Max Shoemake, and Robert Greenlee. In lieu of flowers/plants, the family suggests contributions made to either First Baptist Church Morris, PO Box 106, Morris, OK or the charity of your choice.

Ted D. Butler

May 12, 1938 - November 2, 2023