James A. Butts, III

James was born on June 24, 1941, in Kilgore, Texas to the late James A Butts Jr and Lucille. He was a member of the Kilgore High School Class of 1959. James attended Kilgore College and the University of Texas in Austin. James served in the Army National Guard and worked at Jones & Laughlin Supply. He started to work at Texas Eastman in 1967, where he was in the first class they offered for Electrical certification. He retired from Eastman’s Electrical and Instrumentation Department in 1999 after 32 years of service. James and his late wife Glenda were active in several local churches including First Christian Church Kilgore where he served as an Elder, Peatown Christian Church, and Danville Methodist Church. James was an avid hunter, fisherman, and farmer. In 1979 he moved his family to his grandmother’s homestead in Peatown, where he spent the remaining years farming the land he grew up on as a kid. He established Graybill Hill Farms in 1998, and he and his family grew and sold produce. His main crop was purple hull and zipper cream peas. He loved sharing the bounty of God’s provision with others and teaching them about farming. James never met a stranger. He loved fierce and strong; and he was always there when anyone needed help. 

The Lord and his family were the source of his strength. He loved spending time with his grandkids, teaching them about hunting, fishing, gardening and most of all instilling in them a love for God and his teachings. This was just not his hobby but a lifestyle he was passing on. Even in his last days he made sure each of them knew how proud of them he was and reminded them to keep their faith strong. 

We know James is rejoicing at being reunited with his wife of 60 years Glenda, his parents and loved ones that have gone before him.

Left to cherish his memory are his brother George M. Butts and wife Sandra of Kilgore; his daughter Sherra Butts Poulter and husband Herby of Peatown; his son Shannon Butts and wife Dena of Kilgore; and his grandchildren, Hope Poulter, Jayme Butts, Jordan Butts Jordan and husband Luke, and Dylan Butts. Also, left to carry on his legacy are numerous cousins, friends, and other loving family members. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the nurses, aides, and doctors at The Hospice of East Texas for their loving care of James in his last days. 

Service will be at Peatown Christian Church 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 8th. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at Peatown Christian Church. Burial will follow at Peatown Cemetery. In lieu of Flowers the family ask that donations be made to Peatown Christian Church, c/o Bruce Cunyus, P.O. Box 1887, Kilgore, Texas 75663; or The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, Texas 75701.