Jerry Butler

Tupelo - Jerry Dale Butler, Sr., 61, died Wednesday, January 14, 2009, at his home in the Tupelo/Sherman area where he had lived the past 18 years. A Lee County native, he was born July 7, 1947 to J. B. and Marie McMillen Butler. He served as a Criminal Investigator for the Mississippi Highway Patrol for 28 years. He was a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Army and served as Post Commander of The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4057. He was also a black belt judo instructor. He enjoyed gunsmithing, horses and yardwork. He was a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church.

Graveside Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2009 at Lee Memorial Park with Mr. Sammy Lansdell officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Linda Butler of the Tupelo/Sherman area; one daughter, Shari Bowen and husband, Collin, of Horn Lake; one son, LTC Jerry Dale "Chip" Butler, Jr. and wife, CPT Deanna Butler, of Brandon; his mother, Marie Butler of Tupelo; one brother, Larry Michael Butler and wife, Ann, of Okolona; and four granddaughters, Ana Martinez, Katie Butler, Melissa Butler, and Abby Butler.

He was preceded in death by his father and one grandson, Jerry Dale "Beau" Butler III.

Pallbearers will be Leslie Blaylock, Rhett Russell, Don Leland, Colin Bowen, Eddie McCullough, and John Eaves, Jr.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to The North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice Care, 422A E. President St., Tupelo MS 38801.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com