Daniel Butler

Daniel Joseph Butler, aged 62, passed away February 5, 2018 after an arduous battle with complications of a double lung transplant. Dan was born September 18, 1955 in Fort Lee, Virginia, and grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Cade Butler and John (Tyke) Butler Jr. and infant sister, Denise Butler of Jacksonville, grandparents Hazel Raney Butler and John Butler Sr. of Clarkton, Missouri, and grandparents Velma and William Cade of Springfield, Missouri. He is survived by many cousins, including Mrs. Dianne Rhodes (William) of St. Louis and Richard Hoover of Huntsville, Alabama. He majored in theater and fine arts at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and graduated with a degree in sculpture from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and went on to become an accomplished artist, sculptor and writer. He began his fine art career in a Boulder, Colorado, bronze foundry and followed his passion for sculpture to Portland, Oregon, and then to Driftwood, Texas, before establishing La Porta Foundry in Austin. Dan mentored many local college students as apprentices in his studios and had a prestigious clientele of private collectors. He produced commissions including a commemoration of the Treaty Oak, the city of Austin Zilker Park Christmas Village and a multi-year project with Round Top Festival Institute, to mention a few. After closing his foundry in 1999, he worked as a web programmer in Austin, Santa Fe and Houston before becoming a freelance writer and research editor. Dan had immense compassion for those less fortunate than him. As a devoted member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community in Houston, he volunteered in prison ministries and several other charitable ministries. He rescued and adopted many abused or sickly animals and nursed them back to health with incredible patience. Special mentions to his faithful friends, of which there are many, but especially Tim and Natalie Johnson and the staff and professionals at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center in Houston. A Memorial Mass scheduled for Saturday, February 10th at 12:00 noon at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community, 3600 Brinkman Street, Houston, Texas 77018. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Daniel J. Butler to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. http://www.svdphouston.org. (Or click the 'Place a Donation' link on this page)

Service Information

February 10, 2018 12:00pm, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church