Forever Missed
Longtime Benton principal was Panther for life
Family, friends and many former Benton High School students and staff are mourning the loss of John Butler, namesake of the Benton School District’s auditorium and former longtime high school principal.
Born and raised in Benton, Butler graduated from BHS and continued his education at what is now known as the University of Central Arkansas. Graduating in 1961 with a degree focusing on teaching math and science, Butler and his wife, Peggy, moved to California where he began his teaching career.
Butler’s love for math and science was spurred by the 1957 launch of the first artificial Earth satellite by the former Soviet Union, Sputnik 1.
Five years later, the Butlers, along with their first child, Laura, moved back to Benton where he
took up a math and science teaching post at his beloved BHS. The Butlers eventually welcomed a second daughter, Rachel.
After teaching, Butler moved into the role of assistant principal in 1967 and principal in 1968.
“He really enjoyed being in the Benton Public Schools,” Peggy said. “He stayed until 1994.”
Peggy added that Butler was one of the hardest working people that a person could be, but he also took the time to indulge in his favorite pastimes, which included building racing boats, a passion he developed during his time in California.
“He did that religiously,” Peggy said. “He was wellknown for his racing boats.”
With a love of adventurous things, Peggy recalled a trip to the greater Pacific Northwest and a white water rafting trip on the Snake River after Butler’s retirement.
“He fell out,” Peggy said. “I have this wonderful picture of that. It always seemed to happen to him.”
Of having the auditorium named after him, Peggy said that Butler was extremely honored with the gesture. While championing math and sciences, Butler also felt that it was important to encourage all areas of education and was highly supportive of the construction of the auditorium.
“He was very, very devoted to the students that were at Benton High School,” Peggy said. “He was honored to be amongst the teaching staff ... I think that they always felt that he had their backs.”
Butler had a love for learning and desired to impart his knowledge on the students that came his way, particularly that the things they would be learning at school would stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.
“I want to emphasize how much he valued the teachers he taught with,” Peggy said. “He realized something ... it’s the teachers that are the most important part of how a school is run and without them doing the wonderful job that they did, nothing that you did in an administrative position mattered at all.”
Peggy also noted how much he loved the students and that she hopes that the students who came through the school under her husband’s watch felt his love.
“I think they did,” Peggy said.
As a family man, Peggy added that Butler loved his children and his grandson very much and was always there when his friends needed him.
“His whole life was devoted to that school,” Peggy said. “His whole life was devoted to that school and to his family.”
John H. Butler, born Nov. 19, 1939, died the morning Friday, Oct. 9. John was the son of the late Fred and Malinda Butler. John was preceded in death by his parents; and a special aunt and uncle, Goldie and Brown (Bish) Welch.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Peggy Ballard Butler, of Benton; two daughters, Laura Butler, of Benton, and Rachel Butler Gavini and husband, Bryan, of Boston; a grandson, Bishop John Butler; two sisters, Gwen Rowan and Sandra Rose; a brother-in-law, Gary Ballard and wife, Joy; a sister-in-law, Sue Ballard Sheppard and husband, Alan; and innumerable loving cousins, nieces, nephews, special friends and former colleagues. John graduated from Benton High School In 1957, and from Arkansas State Teachers College (now UCA) in 1961. John received a master’s degree in mathematics from Southeast Oklahoma State University. In the fall of 1961, he began his teaching career as a math and science teacher at Port Hueneme High School in Oxnard, California. In 1966, the family returned to Benton where he continued his teaching career. In 1967, John became assistant principal at Benton High School, and in 1968, he assumed the role of principal, which he held until 1994. During those years, Benton High School, his fellow teachers, and the many thousands of students were always in his heart. He constantly strove to improve the academic quality of Benton High School. John was a hard-working man who cared deeply for his family and who seemed larger than life to so many more. As a hobby, John enjoyed building inboard race boats and built many boats during his life. Many of his family, friends and former students can attest to John’s love for going very fast, with many experiencing a mix of terrified glee as they rode as passengers in the boat or skied behind. He loved boating, skiing and camping on the lakes of Arkansas, especially Lake Catherine in Hot Springs, where the family spent time each summer for many years.
A memorial service will be held at Butler Auditorium at Benton High School when the COVID-19 pandemic has abated and we can all gather together safely to celebrate John’s memory.
In lieu of flowers, an academic scholarship fund will be set up in honor of John for a BHS student who intends to pursue higher learning in mathematics and science (STEM).
Pallbearers will be Jay Brentlinger, Betty Berry, Ron Mays, Eddie Smith, Joe Kates, Bob Maertens, Joe Caldwell, Allan Yearr, and Mike Perry.
Honorary pallbearers will be all Benton High School teachers from 1967 to 1994
Online guest book: www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.