Murray Butler

Murray Allen Butler, of Chandler Arizona, age 59 years, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on March 6, 2024, following a year-long battle with cancer. He was born on June 5, 1964 on Staten Island, NY and grew up in a military family that enabled him to travel and live internationally. He graduated from high school in Kaiserslautern, West Germany and from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He had already taught his eight-month old grandson the “Sic ‘em, Bears” cheer!

Although Murray had several jobs in life, his most memorable was the nearly 23 years he spent working at Toyota Financial Services. He enjoyed his job as a Sr Analyst but what kept him from retiring were the numerous life-long friends he made and the sarcasm, laughter, and beers (or whiskey) he shared with each of them.

Murray had several hobbies outside of work, too. He loved making dry rubs, BBQ sauces, and smoking meats of any kind, although brisket was his favorite. He was also a self-taught woodworker and had an affinity for old, antique tools. He always had several different projects going on simultaneously and a growing list of more projects he’d think of along the way. Murray grew up with a love for music and kept an extensive collection of old CD’s and albums. He played piano growing up and went to Baylor University with the goal of majoring in piano. However, he also played football and eventually had to choose between doing something he loved, or something he enjoyed doing once in a while; football won! Murray was also an avid gardener. Anytime he could be outside planting or cultivating roses or lavender, he was the happiest and most relaxed. If he had to choose a hobby he was the most passionate about though, it would have to be Baylor Bears college football and beer. January 1st of every year, he would start the countdown to the first day of college football. Once football season arrived, all future family vacations, weekend outings and gatherings, were planned around the Bears’ schedule. He was not just a fan, it was who he was; this was a way of life!

Keeping his family close at heart, whether near or far, was very important to him. When pulled from his grill and smoker, he loved traveling with his wife Steph and their friends or just exploring beer gardens, music festivals, and new restaurants. He would chat it up with his brother Mark during Baylor football games and talk with his sister Anna about the olive bread she makes while listening to her tell stories about how he would only play with her on Saturdays when they were growing up. He kept up with his mother’s quest for wanting to become a published writer, which she did recently and let her know how proud of her he was for her accomplishment. And he was always curious what kind of projects his dad had started. He had a finger on the pulse of all his children in all of their endeavors and goals and supported them in any way he could. He was private, he was a family man, he was a friend, husband, brother, son, uncle, grandson, and father. He was everything to so many people and will be greatly missed.

He leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Stephannie Stookey Butler; two daughters Lauren Damaskinos and Brittany (Noah) Ackerman, son Jack Rhesa Butler; grandson Myles Alan Ackerman, his parents Allen and Virginia Buter, sister Anna Butler (Mark) Lane, brother Mark Daniel (Kelly) Butler, cousins Sandie and Donna Jones, Sallie Pennebaker Wilkerson, Jonathan Page, Jennifer Pennebaker Whitehead, and numerous other cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Murray didn’t want a service or celebration. And if you knew him, this doesn’t surprise you. He did however, request that when his wife was ready, to “go ahead and have a party, but don’t let it get out of hand.” There will be a party held in his honor in the near future and you will all be invited to have a drink and celebrate him in your own way.