Thomas "Tom" Gene Butts, 89 of Ardmore, Oklahoma, passed away Friday, July 19, 2013 at the Circle of Life Hospice Home at Legacy Village in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was born January 23, 1924 in Dillard, Oklahoma to James T. and Ruth (Mitchell) Butts. He enlisted in the United States Navy on May 20, 1943 and served as a flight engineer during World War II. After the war, he served in Okinawa, Japan. During the Korean Conflict he served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex. He also served two years with the Blue Angels at NAF El Centro, California. During the last of his Navy career, he served aboard the nuclear carrier, the USS Enterprise and participated in the Cuban blockade. He had 5,949.3 flight hours, and was in 5 plane crashes. After retiring from the Navy, Tom went to work for the City of El Centro, California, where he also later retired. He moved to Colorado for a short time before moving back to Ardmore, Oklahoma where he went to work for the City of Ardmore. Tom married the love of his life, Roberta Jnell (Wyatt) Butts on November 12, 1968 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Survivors include his wife Roberta Jnell Butts of the home; one son, James "Kenny" Butts and wife Jennifer A. Sawatzky Butts of Oklahoma City; step-daughter, Wanda Faye Adams and husband Dennis of Pea Ridge, Arkansas; step-son, Bobby Ray Thompson of Ardmore; step-son, Tommy Jay Thompson and wife Leesa Briscoe Thompson of Graham, Texas; one brother, Kenneth Butts of Bella Vista, Arkansas; one sister, Anna Fleming of Ardmore; seven grandchildren, Lisa, Sammy, Chris, Ashley, Matthew, B.J., and Austin; eight great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be 2:00 pm, Friday, July 26, 2013 at Drake - Nebo Cemetery in Sulphur, Oklahoma (located south of Sulphur, Ok, off Highway 177. Go 6 miles south to the Drake Baptist Church. Turn west on Goddard Road for 1 mile, then south 1 1/2 miles, then west 1/4 mile.) with Pastor John Genn officiating with Navy Funeral Honors. Online tributes to the family may be made at www.bentoncountymemorialpark.com Arrangements are with Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home and Crematory of Rogers, Arkansas. Graveside 2:00 PM Friday, July 26th, 2013
Drake - Nebo Cemetery - South of Sulphur, OK off HW 177