Obituary of Raymond Harris Butler Jr.

Raymond “Ray” Harris Butler, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Avon, Indiana, on January 30, 2025. He was born in Shelbyville, Indiana, to Raymond Harris Butler and Telitha Caroline (Siddons) Butler on March 1, 1943.

He was a 1961 graduate of Greencastle High School, Indiana. He studied Business Management at the University of Maryland and at the University of Alaska at Anchorage.

On October 24, 1964, he married the love of his life, Jane Rose Clouser, at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, Speedway, Indiana. They moved to Fort Meade, Maryland, where their two children were born. They celebrated their 60th anniversary last October.

He served 14 years in the United States Army, serving in the Vietnam Conflict from 1968 to 1969. During his time in the Military, he was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland; Military Intelligence Group; Hanau Kaserne, Germany, Personnel NCO Military Police; Fort Hood, Texas, CID; Fort Bliss, Texas, Personnel NCO, Vietnamese Language School; Fort Richardson, Alaska, Signal Group, and Fort Hood, Texas, 1st Cavalry Division.  He achieved the rank of SFC (Sergeant First Class).

After serving in the military, he was the Chief, Processing Section in the Collection Division of the Internal Revenue Service, in Indianapolis, Indiana, retiring in 1995.

Ray was also a “jack of all trades” with many part-time jobs and entrepreneurial ventures, including delivering of newspapers, pizzas, phone books, and courier services. He created two successful local businesses with his wife, World of Video and Shirts-n-Things SNT Graphics.

His love of travel started when he was in the military. The family traveled the United Sates, Canada, and Mexico when moving from his stationed posts in Maryland, Germany, Alaska, and Texas before returning back to Indiana. During these travels, the family drove the Alaskan Highway (ALCAN) twice with 1,500 miles of gravel road. They camped in many locations along their travels.

Ray was an avid movie fan, coin collector, loved traveling, RC Cola, pizza, and hanging out with his family, friends, and pets. Always ready to make more room for one more pet.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond, and Telitha Butler; brother-in-law, Kenneth Inman; and nephew, Michael Hiner.

Survivors include his wife, Jane Rose; his daughter, Michelle Ann; and his son, Lannie Ray; his sister Betty Ann Inman; his brother, Robert Evan Butler (Carol); and his sister, Jacqueline Sue McKinney (Skip); Nieces and nephews: Vickie (Marty) Roby, Kenneth (Barbi) Inman Jr., James (Wendy) Inman, Sharlene (Jon) Wilson, Jennifer (Mike) Dixon, Jeffrey (Maranda) Kelly, Shelby (Cris) Butler, Julie Barlow, Terri (Randy) Crowe, Melissa (John) Adams, and Angie (Tom) Frazee and numerous great nieces and nephew; Sister-in-laws: Theresa Tribby; and Gladys Wilson (Phill); Best Friends of 67 years: John Crawley and Steve Berg (Cathy); and Family Pets: Beagle Louie; Cats: Baby and Blackie Black; and grand-cats: Snickers and Noodles and he was  proceeded in death by numerous dogs, cats, and a bird throughout the years.

The family would like to thank the Wayne Township Fire Department/IFD and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department EMT’s, Paramedics, and Officers for their compassion and care. The family would also like to thank Indiana University West Hospital Emergency Department staff and doctors, especially our nurse Kendra. Additional thanks to the VA Caregivers Support Group, especially Kyle and Erica.

Memorial donations to Indianapolis Humane Society.