Obituary of Leon Wayne Butterfield

Leon Wayne Butterfield Sr., 101, of Fayetteville, AR, formerly of Mtn. View, AR and Coffeyville, KS, passed away Tuesday, February 6, 2018, in Arkansas. He was born on March 31, 1916 to John Lafayette Butterfield and Myrtle Mae (Dennis) Butterfield, in Golden City, MO. Leon was one of the youngest of eight siblings. Growing up, he worked for Crown Drug Stores, while he also had a paper route. While collecting subscription dues for his paper route, he met his future wife. Leon married Irene Mabel McCroskie in 1938. They would have celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary in a few days on March 2, 2018. Leon and Irene relocated from Coffeyville, KS to Mtn. View, AR in 2007 and later moved to Fayetteville, AR in 2017. Leon joined the US Navy in 1945. Prior to going into Naval service, Leon taught all eight grades at a rural school in Golden City, MO., and later was an elementary principal in Cedar Vale, KS and Sedan, KS. He also served as County Superintendent of Schools for Chautauqua County, KS. Leon retired from education in 1982 after serving 28 years as principal of Edgewood Elementary School in Coffeyville, KS Leon obtained his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Pittsburg State College in Pittsburg, KS. He earned an education specialist Ed. D degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He also pursued additional studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder, CO, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, and Kansas University, Lawrence, KS. Leon's hobbies included bike racing, watching auto racing, gardening, playing chess, and stamp and coin collecting. While in Sedan, KS, he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. In Coffeyville, he was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving as both Elder and Deacon. He was widely recognized for his volunteer work. During the Christmas holidays, his annual passion was being a bell-ringer at one of the Salvation Army red kettles. He was a member of the Black Dog Camping group. For the Coffeyville Lions Club, he was the Secretary for many years, and was later elected as Lions Club District Governor. Meals on Wheels was another passion to which he dedicated countless hours, and he was an active participant at Coffeyville City Council meetings. Survivors include wife Irene (Mtn View, AR), Connie King (Fayetteville, AR), Leon "Lonnie" Jr. (Visalia, CA) and Russ Ann Shannon (Mtn. View, AR), six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Coffeyville, KS with Pastor Diane Massey officiating.