Rev. Jewel Thomas "J.T."  Butler

Rev. Jewel Thomas "J.T."  Butler, 88, of Paragould passed away Thursday at Flo and Phil Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was born in Walnut Ridge, a former pastor of the Paragould Church of God, being one of the original members instrumental in starting services for Pentecostals serving in the military in Europe. He was a 16 year veteran of the Air Force and four year veteran of the Navy serving in the Korean War and the Vietnam era. He loved buying, restoring and selling old cars and trucks. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Case Butler, and was the son of the late Ezra E. and Maggie Leona East Butler. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Herschel, Thelbert and Orlan Butler and sisters, Kathleen and Margaret.

He is survived by daughter, Janice Segress of Paragould; sons, Thomas Butler of Fayetteville, Joel Butler of Troy, Ill., and Ronald Butler of Olive Branch, Miss.; sister, Christine Grant of Marion; grandchildren, Sara Butler, Chelsea Butler, Lindsey Ford, Megan Alderman, Kayli Sullivan and Rachel Butler; four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould. Funeral service will be Monday at 10 a.m. in the chapel with Rev. Gary Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Bladder Cancer Society, 399 Main Street Suite 2B, Dalton, MA 01226.

Online tributes at www.heathfuneralhome.com