BUTLER, THOMAS RONALD (AGE 75) OF FORT WASHINGTON, MARYLAND

In the early morning hours of November 25, 2017, God in His divine wisdom, mercy and understanding welcomed home our dear love one, Thomas Ronald Butler.  He was four days shy of his 76 ^th birthday (November 29, 1941), born to the late John William and Mary Elizabeth "Polly" Butler of Bel Alton, Maryland.

Thomas was educated in the Charles County Public Schools. He graduated from Bel Alton High School in 1959.  He went on to attended Morgan State University, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology; Webster College where he received a Master's in Business Administration, and Liberty University degree where he received a degree in Counseling.

He joined the U.S. Army on January 21, 1972.  His duty stations included: Fort Bliss, TX; Fort Benning, GA; Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Kansas City, MO; Augsburg, Germany; Albany, NY; and Fort Hood, TX.  His training included: Officer Candidate School; Airborne School, Infantry Officer Basic Course; Infantry Officer Advanced Course; Chemical and Nuclear Target Analysis Course, Chemical Officer Advanced Course; Command and General Staff College.  His assignments included:  Platoon Leader, Training Officer; Executive Officer; Company Commander; District Recruiting Commander; Chemical Officer, and Operations Officer.

His military decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal with 1   Oak Leaf Cluster; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze service star; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Non-Commissioned; Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Expert Infantryman Badge; and Parachutist Badge.

He retired from the U.S. Army on 30 April 1991, after service 23 years, 8 months, and 6 days.  He began teaching Military Science in the Baltimore City Public School system on September 1,1995 and retired on July 1, 2003.  Not one to sit at home, he finally landed what he called his "perfect" job working at Home Depot.  He continued working at Home Depot until his health began to decline.

Thomas is preceded in death by his parents, Polly and William Butler; siblings – Charles "Reed," Truman, and Audrey Butler, Julia Jackson; Daniel and Michael Wilson and one granddaughter Tiakeshia Thompson.  He leaves to cherish his wife of 42 years Mary K. Butler, four daughters Maria (Kevin), Bonita (Ronald), Bonnie and Nedra "Nikki"; seven grandchildren, Shaunte' Barber, Tamara and Javita Spears, Erick Walton, Corey and Travis Woodland, and Brianna Douglas; seven great grandchildren; five brothers John Jr. (Elsie), Steven (Vivian); Manual Wilson, Robert Brown, and Howard Wade; one sister Josephine Short; three brothers-in-law, Johnny Fagin (Lucille), of Lithonia, GA; Henry Fagin of Decatur, GA, and Leandrew Green (Bernadine), of Homerville, OH; four sisters-in-law; one aunt, Betty Barnes (James), one great aunt, Leila Hicks, one uncle, Leo Butler and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

His viewing will be held from 10:00am until time of service 12:00noon on Monday, December 4, 2017 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland.

Interment, Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Maryland.