Owen James Butler

Owen James Butler passed away peacefully on June 30, 2017. He was 89. Owen was born on May 4, 1928 in Oak Park, IL. To his parents, James and Olga Butler. He was the older brother to his sisters Eileen Brozman and Patricia C. Butler. He enlisted and joined the Marine Corps in 1946 and moved out West to Camp Pendleton. Owen had 26 years of active service and retired in 1972 as Major Owen J. Butler. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He attended the Army Language School in Monterey, CA. It is during that time that he met the love of his life, Laura Richobono and shortly after, they married in Monterey, CA at the Chapel on the Naval Post Graduate School grounds and began their journey stationed in various cities around the country. To name a few, Camp Lejeune,, NC, Lubbock, TX, Quantico, VA, and El Toro, CA. Upon his Military retirement, Owen and Laura settled into Mission Viejo in 1972 and called it their home of over 46 years. Owen graduated from Lora's College with his Bachelor's degree in Dubuque, Iowa and continued over the years pursuing his love of Education and went on to Chapman College in Orange, CA earning his Master's Degree in Administration and finally, attending Western State University College of Law In Irvine, CA where he obtained his Juris Doctorate. Owen worked for the Department of Defense, County of Orange, State of California and The Contractors State Licensing Board, retiring in 1991. He is preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 54 years, Laura (Richobono) Butler and his nephew, Alan Delfino of Watsonville, CA. He is survived by his niece, Tara Batavia, in which Owen and Laura adopted upon his sister, Patricia's passing in 1980. Owen referred to Tara as "his daughter", his Son in Law, Eric Batavia and Grandson, Ryan Batavia of Reno, NV. His sister in Law's, Mary Delfino of Carmel, CA and Nancy Schlager of Exeter, CA and his niece, Carol of Ridgefield, WA and his nephews', Charles, James and John Brozman, his Cousin's, Dennis Butler, Robert Guthrie, Michael Metts and Geri Stimson from Chicago, IL. Our sweet, loving and tough Marine, otherwise known as Papa Owen was loved by so many and touched so many hearts along the way. We will miss him dearly, but will have him in our thoughts and memories. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at the Santa Rosalia Chapel within San Carlos Cemetery at 9:30 am, committal with military honors immediately following. At a later date, there will be a celebration of Life in Mission Viejo, CA.