Tom Butcher

Harley Thomas “Tom” Butcher, 79, of Pleasant Valley, MO passed away on June 22, 2022.

He was born on July 4, 1942 to Harley Lee and Wanda Lee (Dunn) Butcher in Tamaha, OK. Tom lived in Stotts City, MO for 8 years with his grandparents, then moved to Sarcoxie, MO with his mother for 8 years. Tom moved to Kansas City, living with his uncle, Sam, and began working at Ford Motor Company in 1960.Tom married Mary Ruth Ann Sawyer on June 9, 1962. The happy couple moved to Liberty, MO and then Pleasant Valley, MO in 1968. After moving to their current home, they had three children.

Tom received Christ as his savior in 1971 and joined Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. At Ford, Tom’s nickname was “Butch.” Butch retired from Ford Motor Co. on September 1, 2007 after working 47 years, 1 month, and 5 days. After retirement, he turned his focus onto restoring/rebuilding antique trucks. Tom’s pride and joy were his 1953 and 1956 Red Ford F-100 Trucks.

Tom enjoyed singing, making up song lyrics, going to truck shows and helping his family and friends work on anything. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, “Grandad and Mama”; sisters, Johnnie Creed and Nona Jones; brother, Donald Sagaser; and daughter-in-law, Jackie Butcher.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Rhonda (Larry) Shephard, David Butcher and Brian (Marni) Butcher; son-in-law, Jonathon; grandchildren, Christopher (Iris) Riley, Becky (Chaz) Palmer, Clayton Riley, Jenna Riley, Samantha (Kristopher) Stiers, Joshua Butcher, William Allen and Khiler Bless; great-grandchildren, Sawyer, June, Sabrina and Wade; brother, Jack Sageser, sister Mary Ruth (Tony); uncle, Pete Dunn, who was like a father to him; several nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 27th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville.

Burial: Allen Cemetery, Gower, MO.

Visitation: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.