Jeffrey Jay Butler, beloved spouse, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away in Ivins, Utah, on Sunday, November 2, 2025, following a sudden stroke. Jeff was born in Springville, Utah to Marvin Jay Butler and Myra Lazelle Knight on July 30, 1946. Jeff lived his life with energy, compassion, wisdom, and love. He devoted his time to his education, family, and church. He graduated from Bountiful High in 1964 and went on to earn his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Utah in political science and education before receiving a Doctor of Arts in teaching from the University of Michigan in 1975.

While at the U of U, Jeff met Shannon Kelly and courted her for a total of five weeks before the pair got married on December 30, 1970 in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Jeff loved the classroom environment and impacted hundreds of students as a popular high school teacher at Bountiful High, and later as a college professor at BYU-Hawaii. In 1981, Jeff relayed his acumen for teaching and connecting with people into a position as a technical business writing consultant and partner at Shipley Associates, traveling extensively in the 80's and 90's as Shipley grew exponentially during his tenure before being acquired by Franklin Covey.

Jeff loved all sports and was an All-Star Little Leaguer as a boy but became particularly obsessed with tennis in his adult years. He frequently attended the US Open  and Indian Wells to watch his favorite tennis players. Jeff was always working on his own game and technique, and off the court could often be observed swinging an imaginary racquet with gusto. He also shared a close bond with his children and extended family through tennis.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jeff served in a Bountiful bishopric and then as bishop over a University of Utah single adult ward. He served three LDS missions: Southern California Mission as a young man, with his wife Shannon as a BYU-China teacher in Beijing, and as a CES teacher at the California Institute of Religion in La Jolla. He was an inspiration to all he served.

An expert, empathetic communicator, Jeff used his sizable people skills to connect on a deep, personal level with nearly everyone he came in contact with. He always knew what to say and when to say it. Jeff savored several lifelong friendships (Vaughn, Norm, Robert, Tom) from his Bountiful boyhood days. Whether devouring the news, reading a book, or listening to a podcast, Jeff was an avid learner.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Shannon Kelly Butler, his sweetheart of 55 years; children Tara (Owen) Smith, Jordan (Heather), Brandon (Tiffany), and Brighton (Sam) Walker; 14 grandchildren, a grandson-in-law, two brothers, Jon and Brett; and, loving in-laws, nieces and nephews. He will be remembered for his generous spirit, quick wit, and handsome grin. Jeff will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Bountiful, Utah on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Casa Blanca located at197 East 500 South.

A second Celebration of Life will be held in Ivins, Utah on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 179 South 495 West.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Huntsman Cancer Institute, https://give.huntsmancancer.org/page/67433/donate/1