BORN: June 6, 1946 in Tyler, TX; DIED: April 23, 2022 in Dallas, TX

Activities:  FFA, Mineola District Reporter FFA

Mr. Allen Earl Butcher

JUNE 6, 1946 – APRIL 23, 2022

IN THE CARE OF

Laurel Land Funeral Home & Laurel Land Memorial Park

Allen Earl Butcher was born June 6, 1946, in Tyler, Texas, to Charles and Irene (Sanders) Butcher. The family lived in the Chappell Hill area until he was 13, when they moved to Tyler. Allen was the 8th of 12 children. Allen began working at a Tyler gas station at age 14 and obtained a Clerk’s position at Cotton Belt Railroad at age 21. Due to railroad deregulation, he also worked for the Southern Pacific, Santa Fe, and Union Pacific Railroads until his retirement in 1997. Allen then worked part-time for Luke Soules Co./Gatorade until 2006.Allen graduated from John Tyler High School in 1965 and attended Eastfield Community College. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1967 and was honorably discharged in 1973. He was a Baptist by faith. Allen married Marilyn Clyburn in Tyler in 1967, and their son Charles was born in December of that year. He married Donna Shannon in Dallas in 1980 and gained a stepson, Russell, who was born in 1973. Allen and Donna were married for 41 years and lived for 39 years in the same home in the Dallas suburb of Cedar Hill.

Allen indulged his love of sports by umpiring softball for 50 years -- age 21 to 71. He loved the game, and felt it was his calling. He umpired players of all ages -- from Little Leaguers to college students and other adult leagues, as well as pro bono work for Special Olympics.

He served as Umpire-in-Chief and was an assigner and a trainer of umpires in the DFW area. He was inducted into the Amateur Softball Association National Hall of Fame in the 1980’s and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the DFW Chapter of USA Softball in 2018.

Allen was proceeded in death by his parents, sisters Kitty McLane and Gertrude Staples, and brothers H.E., Robert, Billy, Tommy, Larry, Jimmy, and Danny Butcher.

He is survived by his wife Donna, son Charles and wife Regina, brothers James and Kenneth, and stepson Russell. His grandchildren include Courtney Edmonson, Chuck Butcher, Cody Butcher and great-grandchildren Vivienne and Anson Edmonson. Step-grandchildren are Tyler and Ian Shannon.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.laurellanddallas.com for the Butcher family.