Loyd James Butdorf, August 19, 1947 - November 25, 2016
My husband, my best friend, the love of my life, passed away tragically November 25, 2016, in a fire while trying to repair a generator in our backyard garden shed. We had 45 years of the most loving marriage I could have ever hoped for. We had recently moved from Arlington, Va. and retired to North Fort Myers, Fla.
Jim was born August 19, 1947, in Wadsworth, Ohio, to Loyd (Pete) and Beatrice Butdorf. He was the youngest of four boys. While serving in the Air Force in Washington, D.C., his life became more meaningful as he began studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, and then dedicated his life to Jehovah God, being baptized in November of 1968. Thus began a spiritual career, which included the full-time ministry, serving as an Elder in several congregations, working on "quick-build" Kingdom Halls, and learning Spanish to serve in the Upper Marlboro, MD Spanish congregation.
We met in the summer of 1970 at the district convention of Jehovah's Witnesses in Pittsburgh, Pa. He charmed me with his wit and smile, and our love story began. His secular business as an independent contractor was always secondary to his faith and family. Known by his friends for his humor and smile, he loved playing the drums, scuba diving in the Bahamas, traveling, working on his house and yard, relaxing on sandy-white beaches, and just driving our convertible around town with the "Oldies but Goodies" playing on the radio.
He was loved and lovable, his laugh so contagious that I loved it more than the joke. As heartbroken as I am, I am equally grateful for our wonderful life together, and the two amazing children he gave me. If you knew him, he made you laugh.
He is survived by me, his wife Rhonda, and our devoted children: son, "Jamie" (Shawna) of North Fort Myers, Florida; daughter, Audra (Mark Haskins) of Cumming, Georgia; his five grandchildren: Jake, Skyler Anne and Shaelyn (Jamie and Shawna's); Max and Nate (Audra and Mark's); his three brothers: Bill (Ann) of Pittsburgh, Pa., Jack (Beverly) of Englewood, Fla., and Jerry (Nancy) of Rio Rancho, N.M.; and his loyal Giant Schnauzer, Liquorice.
