Biography of James "Jim" Butler

James "Jim" Lee Butler was born to Floyd Ray Butler and Hazel Ramona McLaughlin Butler in Huntington Park, CA on June 24, 1941. When he was a year old the family moved to Superior, NE. At the age of 3 they moved to the family farm on the east side of Superior where he would live the rest of his life. Jim attended Superior Public School all his life and graduated with the class of 1959. During his high school years, he was a member of FFA, captain of his football team, and was crowned homecoming king his senior year. Jim was awarded a plaque his senior year for having perfect attendance all through his school years.

On July 24th 1960, Jim married his high school sweetheart Ferne Joyce Grabast. To this union 4 children were born Tami, Scott, Holly and Candace. Jim attended K-State until his father Floyd had a farming accident, and he returned home to help on the family farm. His love of aviation started in high school and continued to be a big part of his life. Larry Boardman and Jim started Superior Ag Air in 1976, and for 30 years he owned and operated Butler Air Service. Jim was awarded Nebraska Airman of the Year in 2000 by his fellow peers.

Besides his love of aviation Jim had many other passions. He had a love for anything adventure which included coon, coyote, deer, and elk hunting. The miles were endless going to Colorado, Alaska, and fishing trips to Canada. Jim received a master angler certificate for a catch in Canada. Jim also loved music and played guitar, organ, and sang in a band with his fellow friends called "Kenny Rhea and Buckaroos". Jim was always up for any kind of vacation and his traveling included taking a yearly skiing trips to Colorado with his wife and children. Jim and Ferne took many trips in their 65 years together and for 16 years they wintered in Southern California at the Fountain of Youth RV park where they met many lifelong friends. The one thing Jim loved the most was his family where he spent hours teaching all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren the love of farm life not only for fun but how to work hard.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Hazel Butler, Father and Mother in-laws Lloyd and Genevieve Grabast, brother Robert Butler, infant brother Richard Butler, sister Jean Zmudka, sister Dr. Judith Butler, sister in-laws Marie Gimeson and Jean Thompson.

Surviving relatives are his wife of 65 years Ferne, Daughter Tami Lemke (Lonnie) Superior, Son Scott Butler (Shelly) Superior, Daughter Holly Placke (Jim), Seward, NE and daughter Candace Pavusa (John) Superior. Sister Betty Butler, Superior, Brother-in-law Don Grabast (Janice), Superior and Doug Grabast (Peg), Superior. Grandchildren Jessica Kliem (Jeremy), Fargo, ND, Daren Lemke (Nicole), Lincoln, NE, Whitney Huynh (Tri), Suwanee, GA, Cody Butler (Whitney), Lindsey Havranek (Austin), West Point, NE, Kendra Placke (Sami), Bennington, NE, Breanna Placke, Seward NE Makayla Swiercek (Dalton), Syracuse, NE and Shanna Utecht (Shaun), Denver, CO and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior, Nebraska with Pastor Jeff Kimberly officiating.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday December 2, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Superior, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to go in care of the family

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.