James Ralph Butler, 80, of Carmel, passed away Saturday morning, Aug. 23, 2014. Ralph passed away peacefully of natural causes. He was being visited and comforted by family members at St.Vincent Hospice in Indianapolis.
Ralph was born in Lula, GA on Sept. 22, 1933, he was the eighth child of Joseph and Junie Butler. Ralph loved the outdoors. He always kept busy whether it was taking care of his yard, gardening or working in his garage. He loved working on automobiles and was a very good mechanic. He loved repairing anything and was a good handyman. He enjoyed helping family and friends around their homes. He also loved going fishing, being with his two great-grandsons Nicholas and Nathan and listening to Country Gospel music.
Ralph was a member of UAW 685, and worked at the Chrysler Transmission plant in Kokomo, Ind., for 30 years, retiring in 1984.
Ralph was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Katherine J. Butler, brothers and sisters, Crawford Butler, Albert Butler, Myrtle Long, Rosetta Kerns, Caroline Bromley, Ethel Tate and Dovie Odom.
Ralph is survived by his daughter, Kathy (Larry) Carli, grand-daughter, Shannon (John) Voorhis, great-grandsons, Nicholas and Nathan Voorhis, and his brother Boyd Butler and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held Aug. 28, 2014 at Flanner and Buchanan-Hamilton Memorial Park, 4180 Westfield Rd., Noblesville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1261 W. 86th St., Suite E-2, Indianapolis, IN 46260, to help find a cure for his great-grandson, Nicholas Voorhis.
Condolences may be made online at www.flannerbuchanan.com
