John Butz's Obituary
John Butz, age 101, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 9, 2022, at Avanti Senior Living Center in Covington, LA. He was born in Ft. Worth, TX, on September 14, 1920, as the oldest child of Harry J. and Bernice Butz. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Agnes Reardon, brother William “Billy” Butz, nephew Patrick Kelly Reardon, his first wife Odette “Bitsy” Westcott, and his second wife, Joan Wax Butz. He is survived by his two sons, John Allen Butz (Regina) of McKinney, TX, and Russell Bryce Butz (Donna Naquin) of Covington, LA, as well as his only grandchild, Tolli West (Greg) of Frisco, TX and his step-grandson, Randy White of Tampa Bay, FL. In addition, he is survived by his niece, Barbara Morris, of New York, NY, and nephew, David Reardon of Houston, TX.
John was enrolled at the University of Texas when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and, like many others of his generation, joined the Army Air Corps reserves. Called up for active duty in 1943, he began training to become a pilot for a B-24 Liberator, the U.S.'s largest bomber at the time. After many months of training, he and his crew were sent to Italy in October 1944 to join the war in Europe. They flew most of their missions there at night over enemy territory for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) dropping munitions, supplies, and spies behind enemy lines. Upon flying their 48th combat mission, the war in Europe ended on May 8, 1945. For his extraordinary achievement of aerial flight and heroism in combat, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
John returned to the University of Texas after the war and earned a degree in petroleum engineering. While working for a large, independent oil company in Texas, he was transferred to New Orleans in 1954. In 1962, John and his family moved to Covington, LA, where he resided for the remainder of his life. He was a long-standing member of Tchefuncta Country Club, the Northlake Oilman’s Association, and an original season ticket holder of the New Orleans Saints. His love for dancing was evident as John and his wife, Joan, became members of the Tchefuncta TNT dance group and enjoyed dancing with the other members for 25 years. After retiring from the oil and gas industry, he and Joan purchased a camp in Cocodrie, LA, to pursue their other passion - fishing! They enjoyed their weekends at the fishing camp for over 20 years.
John’s family is grateful to the staff at Avanti Senior Living Center for their care. And, to those beautiful ladies who took such great care of him - Sandra, Coot, Sebrina, and Spree – we are deeply and eternally grateful.
A service honoring John’s life will be held on Friday, July 15, 2022, at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, at 2:00 PM, with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM until service time. Interment will be in Fort Worth, TX, at a later date.
To honor John’s military service and the military service of others, please make donations to The National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St, New Orleans LA 70130, https://www.nationalww2museum.org/..
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home locally owned and operated, (985) 892-9222 has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. The family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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