Obituary of Gerald Elray Butcher

Gerald E. Butcher, of Hillsboro died Sept. 14, 2016 at the age of 94, in Lebanon, Oregon at the Oregon Veteran’s Home. Gerald was born in Fargo, North Dakota; the eldest of three children of George and Orlinda Butcher. Growing up on a farm, Gerald learned the value of hard work and how to run a dairy farm which included the retail sale of the milk that was produced. Gerald graduated from McMinnville High School in 1940. After high school, Gerald continued to work on the family farm until 1942 when he enlisted with the US Merchant Marine. Gerald attended the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York earning his Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering in 1943. He served as an engineer aboard the Liberty Ships which transported troops, vehicles, munitions, and high octane aviation fuel during WW2. By the end of the war he had served in the Atlantic, Mediterranean-Middle East, and Pacific War Zones. He earned the rank of Chief Engineer licensed for any size vessel. Gerald had a long career in the retail industry managing stores and the Northwest District Office for the Western Auto Supply Company. In 1971, he became an owner of his own Western Auto store in Forest Grove, Oregon. Gerald continued working until the age of 87; retiring as the manager of a manufactured home park in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Gerald married Maxine McCall in 1946 and they had three children Richard, Andrea, and George. After 23 years of marriage, Maxine died in 1969. In 1971, Gerald married Shirley Annicker adding two more children Paul and Darcy, to his family. After 30 years of marriage, Shirley died in 2001. Gerald is survived by his sister Arlene Scofield; children Richard (wife Raeleen), Andrea (husband Gary), George (wife Susan), Paul (wife Jill), and Darci; grandchildren Kristi (DaVonne), Shelley, Nicole (Andy and a great grandson coming soon), Kyle, Justin, Courtney, Tori and Ashley. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, October 23, 2016 at McMenamin’s Grand Lodge, Rounders’ Room, 3505 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove, Oregon 97116. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Oregon Veterans Home in Lebanon, Oregon. Service Information