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Independence, MO —
Patriarch Frank Edward (Eddie) Butterworth, age 92, died February 25, 2010, in Chico, CA.
“Brother Eddie” was born August 28, 1917, in Woodbine, IA. His family moved to Independence where he graduated from William Chrisman High School. He attended UMKC and Oklahoma City University.
In 1940 he became a full-time appointee for the RLDS Church. His early ministry as an Elder included Missouri, Kansas, British Columbia, Washington state, and Oregon. While pastor in Oklahoma City, he married Lilly Raye Howard on April 12, 1944. He then ministered as a Seventy in Tahiti and French Oceania; Michigan; Ontario, Canada; Missouri, Nevada, and Northern California.
As a teenager he began researching the Holy Scriptures and early church history. Later, Herald House published his Restoration gospel articles in the Herald, stories of Tahitian experiences in the Stride Youth Magazine, and missionary tracts. Herald House subsequently published eight of his books. Additionally, he co-authored three books and manuals. He helped translate into Tahitian the Three Standard Books, and wrote Tahitian newsletters for pastors and priesthood. He conceptualized and used educational and preaching materials, gospel charts, slides, and his well-known colorful flannel-board display. He photographed Tahiti in its natural state long before tourists arrived. These first 16mm film reels were digitally upgraded, and CSU, Chico added Eddie’s commentary to create an educational video for classroom use. After retirement from the RLDS Church, renamed Community of Christ, he organized the California non-profit corporation Cosmic Press. His most recent printed books are: Return of the Ancients, Divine Origin, And After Your Testimony, and Prepare Ye, Prepare Ye; his unfinished autobiography is Leaves from the Tree of Paradise.
Eddie loved all people, and had a special affinity for young people and children. He loved his family, never gave up serving the Lord, preached with enthusiasm and studious courage, endured to the end, and is surely preaching even now in the Lord’s service.
He is survived by Lilly Raye, his loving wife of 65 years; son Gary and his wife Jean of Independence, their three children and three grandchildren; and daughter Cheryl Butterworth of Chico; and his siblings, Kenneth Butterworth and Beatrice Mengel, both of Independence.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Janis Anderson; parents Frank and Ada Butterworth, sisters Velva and Lois, and brothers Robert and Bernard.
There will be a short private service for the immediate family. No public service is planned. The family requests memorials be sent to Cosmic Press in care of Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home, 680 Camellia Way, Chico, CA 95926.
Please share your thoughts online at www.nbcfh.com.
Patriarch Frank Edward (Eddie) Butterworth, age 92, died February 25, 2010, in Chico, CA.
“Brother Eddie” was born August 28, 1917, in Woodbine, IA. His family moved to Independence where he graduated from William Chrisman High School. He attended UMKC and Oklahoma City University.
In 1940 he became a full-time appointee for the RLDS Church. His early ministry as an Elder included Missouri, Kansas, British Columbia, Washington state, and Oregon. While pastor in Oklahoma City, he married Lilly Raye Howard on April 12, 1944. He then ministered as a Seventy in Tahiti and French Oceania; Michigan; Ontario, Canada; Missouri, Nevada, and Northern California.
As a teenager he began researching the Holy Scriptures and early church history. Later, Herald House published his Restoration gospel articles in the Herald, stories of Tahitian experiences in the Stride Youth Magazine, and missionary tracts. Herald House subsequently published eight of his books. Additionally, he co-authored three books and manuals. He helped translate into Tahitian the Three Standard Books, and wrote Tahitian newsletters for pastors and priesthood. He conceptualized and used educational and preaching materials, gospel charts, slides, and his well-known colorful flannel-board display. He photographed Tahiti in its natural state long before tourists arrived. These first 16mm film reels were digitally upgraded, and CSU, Chico added Eddie’s commentary to create an educational video for classroom use. After retirement from the RLDS Church, renamed Community of Christ, he organized the California non-profit corporation Cosmic Press. His most recent printed books are: Return of the Ancients, Divine Origin, And After Your Testimony, and Prepare Ye, Prepare Ye; his unfinished autobiography is Leaves from the Tree of Paradise.
Eddie loved all people, and had a special affinity for young people and children. He loved his family, never gave up serving the Lord, preached with enthusiasm and studious courage, endured to the end, and is surely preaching even now in the Lord’s service.
He is survived by Lilly Raye, his loving wife of 65 years; son Gary and his wife Jean of Independence, their three children and three grandchildren; and daughter Cheryl Butterworth of Chico; and his siblings, Kenneth Butterworth and Beatrice Mengel, both of Independence.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Janis Anderson; parents Frank and Ada Butterworth, sisters Velva and Lois, and brothers Robert and Bernard.
There will be a short private service for the immediate family. No public service is planned. The family requests memorials be sent to Cosmic Press in care of Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home, 680 Camellia Way, Chico, CA 95926.
Please share your thoughts online at www.nbcfh.com.
