I'm sorry I did not know this back in January- may he rest in peace. great guy. James Roland Butler, 75, of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and Linville, NC, passed away January 14, 2016. Jim was born January 7, 1941, in Macon, GA. He grew up in Coconut Grove, FL, and retired in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, in 2001. Jim was a graduate of Miami High School and the University of Florida. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Jim began his career in the pharmaceutical industry as a sales representative for Glaxo, Inc. and retired 25 years later as Senior Vice-President and General Manager. After retiring from Glaxo, he began a second career with Alza Pharmaceuticals in Palo Alto, CA. There he led the sales and marketing effort for eight years until the company was sold. Jim went on to serve on several boards of directors. Jim was a loving husband and a devoted and proud father and grandpa. He loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed playing golf with his grandson John and watching his grandson AJ play lacrosse. Jim was a big Gator fan, enjoyed classic cars and spending summers in the North Carolina mountains. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Sheila; son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Andrea Butler; grandchildren, AJ and John Pierce Butler; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Maureen and Neil Piket; several nieces and nephews; and many cousins in Georgia and Florida. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Samuel Lee Butler, Sr. and Roberta Jones Butler; brother, Samuel Lee Butler, Jr. and son, James Roland Butler, Jr. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 545 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, with Reverend Santhosh Syriac as Celebrant. Interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery of Macon, GA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Avery County Humane Society and Animal Shelter, 1081 Stamey Branch Road, Newland, North Carolina 28657. Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Services under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home Published in the Florida Times-Union from Jan. 16 to Jan. 17, 2016- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion/obituary.aspx?pid=177317352#sthash.eqDIXdZb.dpuf
