My love...my life...my one true friend

This online memorial was created in loving memory of Michael Butts, whose life story is told throughout the pages of this memorial website. Please sign Michael 's guest book and let us know you came to visit. Please save this page to your 'favorites' and come back again, as this site will be updated with changes regularly.  May Michael live on forever in our minds and in our hearts and our many wonderful memories..

Ride on Brother.....Ride on......

Mike crossed over to the next world on December 13th 2007, after a long and courageous battle with mestastasized head and neck cancer.  Mike was a BEAUTIFUL example of what a man should be.  Although his life was cut short at the young age of 56, Mike lived a full and love filled life.  He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend.  

HA LOTT 1980 Exxon Project

Michael was also a dedicated leader in the commercial construction community in Houston and well respected for his demeanor and his ability to turn out knowledgable young superintendents.  Mike left a legacy of amazing architecture in the  buildings that grace the Houston skyline.  Mike loved his work and his associates, clients, men and the DE Harvey team!

Our Wedding Someone embarrassed us!

Michael and I met in early November of 1978 in Birmingham.  We actually were introduced by a mutual friend and I met Mike at a visit to his apartment!  I was 21 and he was a much older, much wiser (he always told me this) 27!  Our little courtship lasted until March when he left for work in Houston.  In a week or two Mike called and proposed to me...I said yes.....then a few days later...I had time to think about moving all the way to Texas....I said no!  That night Mike was standing on my door stoop in a driving storm....He had flown all the way in from Houston to ask WHY I didn't want to marry him....and the rest?...well that is just history.
From November 1978 to December 2007...we had a lovely 29 years to be grateful for him asking...and for me having said yes.

Mike had a huge circle of friends. His magnetic smile attracted people from all walks of life.  He was an avid sportsman....he especially loved Football, particularly college ball.  He also loved attending the many professional sports available to us in Houston. 

He also loved music and enjoyed both classic rock and country.  In his car you may be subjected to classical....because it soothed him after a hard day. 

Mike loved the Houston Rodeo and other public venues.  He was a HUGE race fan (Go Little E) and followed the Nascar circuit quite closely.  He had season tickets to Daytona and Talladega.  Talladega races were opportunities to visit the home folk, as we were both raised around the Birmigham area.

Mike loved to fish and that included both fresh and salt water fishing. 
 

Mike was an incredibly gifted horseman.  His behind never left the saddle when he rode at a lope or trot, no matter how long it had been since he had rode last.  He had an amazing relationship with the ponies we raised and had a special place in his heart for our wry faced foal, Smoochie, and our first bred pony, Chance.  Mike was also adept at carriage driving, but his experience was with mules...(his daddy was a crop farmer and plowed with the mules).....so we often laughed when he "geed and hawed" our native British ponies!  I have always felt so blessed that Mike not only indulged me this interest, but also encouraged and supported me in my love of competition. 

Two months before Mike passed away...we lost our dear friend and neighbor...Dave Conian.  On the day of Dave's memorial, Mike wanted to ride our pony Maximus ...just one last time...he said "to ride Dave into Heaven".  In his weakened condition, I knew he could not manage this alone. I saddled his horse and lifted him into the seat, wearing his pajama pants and house shoes....and he rode Dave to Heaven that morning...and Max was so honored to be his steed and was very kind to him.
 

Loving his girls - Galveston Island 1986

Mike was such an amazing husband and I loved him with my whole heart.  I miss him like air....and water.  He was my best friend and I am so blessed that he knew how very much I loved him...... I truly feel he still watches over me from Heaven. How lucky I am that I had such amazing husband, partner and friend for so many years!

He was strong and caring..... gentle and funny.... entertaining and delightfully silly!  Mikey had a heart as big as they come...a provider extraordinare..doting father....loving and protective husband and master of his home filled with girls! Although he often admitted to having to dress in the closet when all the girls came to the Master Bath to chat and put on make-up!!!!  He complained, yet we always knew he really loved it!

Mike loved his daughters more than anything in the whole world.  He called each girl by his special name for them.......Kim was his  Little Chickapea.....and Kristi.... his Bush-bush baby.  Then Kim gave him PaPaw's babies...our twin grand daughters Kaitlyn and Mackenzie, and they really melted his heart.  I am so grateful he lived long enough to know them.  I hope thru all of us...they have a chance to know him too!

 Mike loved Jesus and he loved his church and his minister....and he was a true Christian.  He was blessed as a kid to be raised by a mother who taught him how to pray........His favorite prayer was the Lord's prayer...or in his words..."Our father"

On the day before Mike became an Angel, he told the chaplin from hospice that his favorite prayer was Our Father....then minutes later....He said....with eyes closed...."let's go!....Let's GO!  I truly believe he passed into the hand of God that moment!

In his very last breaths...as I held him in my arms...rocking him and kissing his face....surrounded by some family and a few special friends.....we all truly felt Mike had already left our presence and was making his place in the Lord's House.  God Speed... my love...God speed!

Reverend Capri Grimes Holds Sign for Mike's last Ride

The First Methodist Church of Fulshear is currently accepting memorial donations  to build the "Breeze", Mike Butts Memorial Welcome Center.
 

Please send donations to: 
FUMC - Fulshear
8201 Harris St., Fulshear, TX 77441

Donations are fully tax deductible.

Please help this dream come true!!!!