Gary “Butch” Atkinson, 80, formerly of Burlington, died Sunday, March 23, 2025, at New London Specialty Care Center.
Born on June 20, 1944, in Colton, Ore., he was the son of James and Inez Askew Atkinson. He married Mary Fariss and of that union they had four daughters. They later divorced. On May 8, 1987, he married Betty Darnold, she preceded him in death on Jan. 17, 2015.
Butch graduated from Danville High School. He served in United States Navy Reserves. For over forty years Butch worked for and retired from Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. He was a member of Sunnyside Baptist Church in Burlington, Iowa. In his free time, he enjoyed roller skating, playing cards, dice games and going bowling. Butch also enjoyed meeting up with his friends for coffee at Panera Bread from time to time.
He is survived by his four daughters: Shelly (Darrell) Dean of Mount Pleasant, Sheila (Warren) Orth of Salem, Tina (Terry) Barton of Mount Pleasant, and Carrie Atkinson of Gulfport, Ill.; nine grandchildren: Cory, Whitney, Macoy, Tyson, Traden, Wesley, Chasity, Wylee and Logan and nine great grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister Connie (Dale) Glasgow of Danville, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Mary Lou Overton and Barb Crear; brother Ricky Atkinson; second wife Betty and three brothers in-law.
The funeral service for Butch will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Lunning Chapel with Pastor Larry Dodds officiating. A one-hour visitation will be held prior to the service at 12 p.m. at Lunning Chapel where the family will meet with friends. Burial will be held in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established in his memory to the Special Needs Foundation or Sunnyside Baptist Church.