Brian O. Butler

Dr. Brian Orin Butler passed peacefully on June 22, 2021, in Colorado Springs, CO. A native of Iowa, Brian spent his youth in West Liberty, Iowa, and graduated from West Liberty High School in 1980. Active in Boy Scouts of America, Brian learned many valuable skills in leadership and the outdoors, which he carried throughout his life and was the proud recipient of the Eagle Scout award. Brian's love of Theater and country took him to the University of Iowa, where he majored in Theater Studies and was a member of the Army ROTC, and in 1984 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. His performances included musicals, monologues, melodramas, mime, and private event performances. A Hawkeye at heart, Brian toured with the semi-professional theatre group Geese Company. The troupe had a tremendous following and turned professional; however, Brian declined the opportunity to tour with the troupe to fulfill his U.S. Army commitment. In 1985, Brian joined the U.S. Army after graduating from the University of Iowa. He proudly served his country as an Air Assault Chemical Officer. His tour of duty lasted over ten years and took him to numerous locations. Brian served in Desert Storm and was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroic Service. Brian retired as a Major with two Meritorious Service Medals and numerous other medals and citations. After retiring from the military, Brian earned his Master's (1994) and Doctorate (2008) in Psychology with an emphasis in trauma, which he used to treat hundreds of soldiers and others with mental and emotional disorders over his 26 years as a psychologist. Brian's call to service was evident in his volunteerism. His volunteer pursuits include: the El Paso County Sheriff's Dept as a civilian Emergency Response Team member; the CSPD as a Crisis Intervention Officer; COS disaster Preparedness Team as the Mental Health Responder to Critical Incidents, a Court Appointed Special Advocate, the Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and he staffed the COS crisis/suicide prevention hotline. Brian enjoyed hiking, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, weightlifting, and spending time in Colorado's great outdoors. Brian's love of the arts, dance, history, and literature drove him to cultivate his interest continually. Brian was a deep thinker and frequently put his thoughts and feelings into poetry; he published an Anthology of Poetry and maintained a poetry blog site. Brian constantly amused and amazed family, friends, and colleagues with his sharp wit, dry sense of humor, impromptu impressions, and never-ending humorous observations. It was indeed an unforgettable time if you had the opportunity to spend time with Brian; you never knew what would happen or what he would say, but it is without a doubt a moment you would not forget without a chuckle or smile. Brian's warm heart, generous spirit, and caring soul will be deeply missed. Brian is survived by his loving wife, Yolanda Butler; mother Delores Butler; siblings, Darlene (Hellerich), Dawn (Buchart), Scott Butler, Emmett Butler, and DeeAnn (Linquist) Butler; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. He is preceded in death by his father, Ronald D. Butler. To honor and celebrate Dr. Brian Butler's life, a celebration of life service will be held in Colorado Springs, CO, at 3:00 p.m Sunday, July 11, 2021, in the chapel of the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center 530 Communication Cir Colorado Springs, CO 80905. A reception will follow at the Mt. Carmel event center located downstairs from the chapel. All family, friends, and colleagues are welcomed. A separate memorial will be held in Brian's hometown of West Liberty at a future date. Committal services will be held with full military honors 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m Monday, July 12, 2021, at Pike Peak National Cemetery, located at 10545 Drennan Road Colorado Springs, CO. Family is requesting anyone attending the committal service to please be at the cemetery 20-30 minutes prior to the service time. Carpooling is recommended. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Brian Butler to Mt. Carmel at: https://veteranscenter.org/. Family and friends are invited to share their memories and photos on Brian's tribute page.