Donnie Butcher was born on March 1, 1945, in Havre de Grace, MD. He passed away on June 28, 2023, at the age of 78. He was the son of the late Agnes Smith and Denver Butcher.

He is survived by his loving wife, Regenia; sons, Christopher (Robin), Joshua and former daughter-in-law, Stephanie; siblings, Lois Mowbray (Jesse), Linda Jones (Mervin), and Reba Jacob (Nick); and unofficial sister, Ann Waite (Jay).

Don worked at a variety of places including Motor Wheel Corporation in Delaware, Asarco Copper Mines in Arizona, and for the town administration building as a custodian in Elkton, MD.

But a person's life consists of much more than names, dates, and outline facts. It consists of triumphs, failures, and intervals of smooth roads and roadblocks. Don always took everything in stride (the good, the not-so-good and the in-between). He was always ready to deal with the next hurdle or enjoy the next glitch solved. That approach to life had become important considering that, years earlier, he and others realized that no matter how much Don tried, he couldn't learn to read. The letters kept jumping themselves around. In the ninth grade he quit school, figuring that there was no point in continuing.

Throughout his life, Don was often apprehensive hoping no one would realize that he couldn't read or write (since he couldn't spell). For years, he felt like an outcast, like he didn't measure up in society. Kids can be insensitive, but some "grownups" can be insensitive as well.

As time went by, however, and inner strength being what it sometimes is, he began to overcome his lack of confidence. He reasoned that doing everything to the best of his ability, giving a hundred percent to whatever the task was, was an accomplishment in itself.

He also learned whatever disability you have in life; you need to balance THAT with things that you CAN do. And he did some amazing things!

Don loved his family. He believed that the word "family" had two definitions: those who just happen to be born relatives or became in-laws, and those who truly love and like you, whether they were relatives, in-laws, or very special friends. The latter he considered truly FAMILY (loved ones).

From panning for gold in Montana, to watching fireworks in New Mexico; from decorating a huge desert tumbleweed for Christmas in Arizona, to making an immediate and hilarious dash for the car while getting drenched by the rain at the Cecil County Fair in Elkton. Don enjoyed the simple things in life with his wife, sons, and other loved ones. He said the simple things are where the real memories are.

And, thanks to YouTube, sometimes in the evening he visited the rest of the world, with a coffee mug on a side table and his feet propped up in the recliner, as he decided to take the walking tour of Jerusalem, Israel, Madison, WI or Barcelona, Spain. "It's almost like being there," he said, "but without all the expense and hassle."

The "Golden Rule" was very important to him. He thought that people should follow it and treat others the way they would want to be treated.

He loved listening to the Bible on a CD and watching Biblical history videos. While he didn't attend a religious denomination, he did love God our Father, Jesus our Savior, and Holy Spirit, our strength and guide, with all his heart and being. He prayed that everyone could know that amazement and peace and joy.

Don was more humorous than he realized, wiser than his years, and more adventurous than time allowed. If possible, he would have been standing near Captain Kirk as the Enterprise charted a new course through the galaxy. The wonderful influence he was on all his loved ones will always be a part of their lives, especially whenever they recall something wisely amusing that he had said, or remember the very fine example he had been. Their love for him continues.

He had said once that he liked his first name, Donnie, because it was down to earth and comfortable. There were no pretenses and no fake. And that perfectly describes him – no pretenses and no fake. He will be greatly missed, but always remembered and always in the hearts of his loved ones.