Ronald Louis Butcher

Ronald “Ron” Louis Butcher—husband, father, brother, uncle, friend—died at his home in Houston at the age of 70. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Thomason Butcher, his son, Phillip M. Butcher, and his daughter-in-law, Lisa Begley. Other survivors include his siblings and their spouses, Karl Bourgeois (Mary), Michael Butcher (Dottie), Tony (Rosemary) Butcher, and Dina Gannon (Billy). Preceding him in death were his parents, Matthew L. and Cecile H. Butcher and his sisters, Patricia Butcher and Kathryn Butcher Austin. A gathering of friends will be held in Houston at a later date, and the family will hold a private memorial in Lafayette, Louisiana, in April.

Ron felt a duty to remain alert to the needs of his family, valuing love and loyalty above all else. He was born and raised in Lafayette, cherishing his childhood fishing, driving tractors, and telling jokes at his family’s farm, around the neighborhood in Bendel Gardens, and with his friends from Our Lady of Fatima High School. Ron was fiercely protective of his siblings and other relatives with whom he remained close his entire life. He also was honored to be parrain (godfather) to three goddaughters, Elizabeth E. Juge, Mary Butcher-Kimball, and Emily Gannon, taking his role of advisor and protector very seriously.

During and after earning his business degree at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Ron built his career at John E. Chance & Associates, later Fugro, moving to Houston and working on many innovative projects, notably as Fugro’s point person for the Shell Auger Tension Leg Platform in the Gulf of Mexico, and other projects in the United States and internationally. His colleagues credited his quick wit, affinity for good food, and sharp negotiation skills for leaving every situation better than he found it. His clients valued their partnerships because of Ron’s good faith spirit, keen business acumen, and ability to meet and satisfy their expectations.

An avid and skilled outdoorsman, Ron also enjoyed fine scotch, detective and espionage novels, old movies, family celebrations, and photography. He captured thousands of sunsets and moonrises while working offshore, vacationing in Destin, Florida, and watching over Houston’s skyline from his home.

Undoubtedly his proudest accomplishment was the life he made with his cherished Kathryn and Phillip, and most recently, his daughter-in-law Lisa. Ron would be pleased to be remembered for his love and loyalty. Donations can be made in Ron’s name to the Fire Fighter Foundation of Houston’s Health and Wellbeing Campaign at www.fffhouston.com.