Thomas A. Butler

Oct 15, 1941 — Jun 19, 2026

Goodland, Kansas

Thomas Alford Butler. Photo courtesy of Koons-Russell Funeral Home

Thomas Alford Butler was born in Bryson Texas on October 15th, 1941, to Chester Richard (Shorty) and Anna Mae (Petit) Butler. Tom graduated from Goodland High School in 1959.

Tom enlisted in the army from 1961-1964 and served in Germany and Korea.

He was united in marriage to Mary E. Soellner on February 20th, 1965, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland KS. To this union they had two children Darren and Suzanne.

Tom worked at Leslie Tire and Supply for several years, before moving to Texas in 1965 where he worked for Great Western Finance Company for 4 ½ years. He then returned to Goodland KS and worked at Bergin Tire. Bergin eventually opened another tire store in Burlington Colorado and asked Tom to manage that store. Tom managed that store until he opened his own service station called Butler Oil. Tom eventually moved his family back to Goodland KS where they lived while both kids graduated high school. In 1987 he decided to go back to school at Northwest Kansas Vocational Technical School for telecommunications. He graduated and went on the road to work for Nortel Communications out of Richardson TX. He worked for 14 years until his retirement. After retirement, he worked for his good friend, Gary Meyers, at the Sugar Hills Golf Course.

Tom is survived by his wife, Mary; his son Darren (Jody) of Auburn NE, his daughter Suzanne (Patty) of Berthoud CO, two grandchildren Logan (Susie) Butler of Everett WA, Amanda (Drew) Allgood of Kansas City MO. Two great grandchildren Samuel James Butler of Everett WA and Graham Thomas Allgood of Kansas City MO, who was proudly named after Thomas. One sister Patsy (Roy) Horn of Wichita Falls TX. Brother-in-law Kenny (Connie) Soellner of Goodland KS. One sister-in-law Shirley Soellner. Plus, many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Chester Richard (Shorty) and Anna Mae, Father-in-law Frank James and mother-in-law Coletta (Arensdorf) Soellner, his brothers Jim and Rick Butler. Brother-in-law Robert (Bob), Jerry, Jim Soellner and sisters-in-law Janice Soellner, Janie Butler and Gerie Butler. Nephew Bobbie Soellner and niece Dayna Soellner.

Memorial contributions may be made out to the NWKS Animal Shelter or to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.