Travels of Jackie and Randy: Goodby, Butch

Another loss, so hard to bear. Randy's oldest brother Butch passed away and while it wasn't totally unexpected, it is still very hard to deal with.

Butch joined the Marine Corps when he was just 17 years old. He survived the Vietnam war with a purple heart, then earned several other ribbons during his 26-year career. He worked his way up to Master Gunnery Sergeant, which is the highest NCO rank. Technically he retired, but "once a Marine, always a Marine" was certainly true for Butch!

Butch lived most of his live in southern California, raising a family that started with the amazing blessing of having Lina as his wife. She gave him two children, a stable home-life, and lots and lots of prayers for 53 years.

Randy and I traveled to visit them several times. In 1981 Randy even joined Butch on his ship for a Tiger Cruise.

In 1999 they came to Illinois for the big family reunion. And it was a pretty big family back then.

When we were RVing in California we were able to spend more time with Butch and his family.

In 2015 while we were still at the Vista AGSE Museum Tractor Show, Butch showed up with Lina, his son Michael and daughter-in-law Maria for a day. Their sister Tina was there, also - so much fun!