Thomas J. Butler was born on August 12, 1948, in Stephens, Arkansas. He was the 10th of 12 children born to Thomas William Butler (Jack) and Cleo (Sutton) Butler.
He attended George Washington Carver High School in Stephens, Arkansas where he exceeded scholastically. He was first chair trumpet player in the high school band. He also played basketball. Anyone who knew Thomas knew that he had great aspirations of grandeur until he died. Thomas accepted Christ at an early age and preached his first sermon at the age of 16 at New Home A.M.E. Church in Stephens.  He graduated in 1966 as Valedictorian and went on to attend Southern State College.  Now it is known as Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, Arkansas.
He then entered the U.S. Army where he received many accolades.   He earned over 50 medals. While in Vietnam, Butler earned a Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, a Distinguished Flying Cross, two Purple Hearts, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and a number of other honors for bravery and courage in the line of duty for his service between 1968 and 1973.
Butler held various prestigious positions during his work history.  He was very precise and detail-oriented in everything he did.  He succeeded in whatever he attempted.
He loved his Green Bay Packers.  In his latter life, he watched TV 24/7.  He especially enjoyed CNN, documentaries, and movies.  All he needed was a TV and his phone.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents Thomas (Jack) and Cleo (Sutton) Butler. Sisters:  Frankie (Charlie) Edwards; Allean (Ezekiel) Strong; Mearlene; Eva; Helen (William) McCloud; Wilma (Jimmy) McGee; Mary (Charles) Thompson; Florence (Herschel) Blakely.
Thomas leaves to mourn two sisters and a brother, Chillicothe, OH; Rachel (Donald) Foster; Roslyn (Napoleon-deceased) Cross; Lawrence (Nancy) Butler; two sons, Kansas City, Kansas; Stacy R. Butler and Steven Dante' Butler; two daughters-in-love, Natel Brown (Portland, Oregon) and Vernachael Blacksmith (Rock Hill, South, Carolina) and a host of family members-cousins, nieces and nephews, and a special family, The Conways-Charnley, Tanisha, Taylor and Carson.  Services will be held on November 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Greater St Paul Baptist Church, Camden, Arkansas.  Interment will be held at New Home A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Stephens, Arkansas.