An amazing husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, and loyal friend Ellis Clark Butler, known to many as “Clark” passed away on August 6, 2021. He was 77. Over the past few years Clark battled Parkinson’s disease with humility and grace. He never complained and throughout this trial managed to show love and appreciation for his wife Barbara and family. His family was blessed to spend many special moments with him over the last few years.
A huge void has been left in the lives of his wife Barbara Mineer Butler whom he was married to for fifty-seven years. As well as his adoring thirteen children and their spouses, forty-nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren as well as a sister and many nieces and nephews.
Clark was born on February 1, 1944 to Ellis Clark Butler and Mary Faye Clark in SLC, UT. He was the 3rd child of 4 in his family. He had two older siblings Ranae and Dave and a younger sister Merrie.
He attended Highland Park Elementary, Kellogg Junior High, Highland High School, and the University of Utah.
Growing up Clark didn’t get into a lot of trouble. He loved playing croquet, badminton and games like monopoly. As he got older, he enjoyed building and flying model airplanes. He also enjoyed flying kites, biking, swimming, and sledding in the winter. As a teenager he enjoyed racing go karts and even qualified for nationals.
Clark grew up in Sugarhouse until he was 10. His parents moved to Portland, Oregon and returned to the same home on Glenmare Street just before he entered high school.
It was after high school while working at Dunford Bakery that he met his wife, Barbara. One night he got the courage to ask Barbara if he could give her a ride home from work. Clark and Barbara were married in Salt Lake Temple on September 25, 1964.
For most of his career he worked for Wing Enterprises selling The Little Giant Ladders. His career allowed him and his family to have many opportunities to travel. Clark retired after 40 plus years when he was 72.
Clark, along with his wife, enjoyed serving a three-year service mission on Temple Square. They loved attending the temple weekly until his body would no longer allow it. He quietly went about serving people and did not want the recognition.
Clark and Barbara loved to travel and enjoyed many cruises and adventures with family over the years. He would take his family to an annual airshow in OshKosh, Wisconsin. Many fond memories were spent making the yearly trek. Clark had always had an interest and love of flying that he shared with some of his children and grandchildren. In 1975 he got his private pilot’s license. Later he joined the Civil Air Patrol and went on many search and rescue operations.
Clark received many awards and recognitions throughout his life, but his greatest accomplishment was his family. He made many sacrifices to ensure that his family had what they needed and that each child and grandchild knew just how loved they were. He was known for making us all laugh and telling jokes. While he worked long hours, he was never too busy to serve others. He demonstrated many Christlike attributes and was a great example to family.
Clark is survived by his loving wife Barbara, his thirteen children Jackie Summers (Kent), Christy Anderson (Greg), Janice Jackson(Brent), John Butler (Julie), David Butler (Leslie), Bret Butler (Lynsey), Laura Rowbury (Mike), Richard Butler (Teresa), Becky Sonntag (Ron) Brian Butler, Brandon Butler (Grant), Melissa Cherrington (Tyler), Tyler Butler (Nicole), his sister Merrie Heilpern (Jay), a special nephew, Scott Wynn (Ann), and eighteen other nieces and nephews, forty nine grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dave, sister Renae, and grandson Caden.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, August 11th at the Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 S.) from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A funeral will be held on Thursday, August 12th at the Dimple Dell Ward, 10945 South 1700 East, Sandy, UT at 11:00 a.m. Family will greet friends and those wishing to pay their respects from 9:30 to 10:30 am. For those unable to attend the funeral in person you can watch live by going to https://zoom.us/j/91215332691
Ann and I extend our deepest sympathies to Barbara and her family for their loss of Clark.
Growing up with Clark was a wonderful gift for me. He was gentle, kind, good, and protective, just how an older brother should be, and he was that for me.
We will miss him very much.
Christy and Family,
We send our deepest condolences to your dear family. Please know your family will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy and love,
Broc & Crys
To Barbara and all of my wonderful nieces and nephews. Thank you to all of you for the wonderful way you took care of my brother. The sacrifices you all made to make sure that he was well taken care of was amazing. I will be forever grateful for everything that you did for him. He was a wonderful brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed! I love you all for the service that you gave to him. I love you Clark. You raised a pretty awesome family!
Clark was an angel man.....kind, generous and loved and respected by all who knew him.
My brother Todd and I want to send our condolences to Jackie and her family. We are very sorry for the pain they are going through.
Your dad was a very fine man and we know he will be missed by all.
Dearest Jackie, We are sad to hear about the passing of your dad. We know how much you loved him and spent so much time these past few years watching and taking care of him as his health declined. Our prayers are with you and your family as you say good bye for now. He will be your angel in your life and be watching over you all. May you feel his love abounding in your hearts and know how much he loves and cares for you. This is a tough time to go through and I’m sure there are soooo many emotions as you prepare for your daughters wedding this week too. Please know how much we love you and we are praying extra prayers for your health and strength!
May God pour out His divine miracles in your life this week!!!
We love you forever, Ray and LoriAnn Garner
Your family is in our prayers, we send our love, that the Lord bless each and every one of you with strength, peace and lots of love.
Butler,Barrera, sorry for your loss. I wish I could be there in person. Clark was a special person, not only buy his family, but by all that knew him. Barbers, may your family help to ease the sorrow you feel, they are such great kids. You have such a large family they will keep you busy. Again sorry for your loss may God help and bless you. Love, Leigh
Hate to miss the services today, my bad back won't allow it! Rest assured that Clark is now flying with the Ace he has always followed and has won the battle he has been fighting. I'll always count him as a best friend and Brother in the Gospel. I stand ready to do all I can to help you, Barbara. Don't hesitate to call!
I am saddened by the news of Clark's passing. I counted him as one of my friends in high school. I'm sorry for your loss.