On December 2, 2024, Jerry Don Butts passed from this life into the presence of his Lord and King with his wife, daughter and granddaughters at his side. Jerry was born in Artesia on September 29, 1943, to Don and Dorothy Butts, and lived most his life in his hometown.
 After graduating high school in 1961, Jerry and his two best friends boarded a bus for bootcamp in New Jersey. He proudly served eight years in the Army reserves. After a short stint in the potash mines near Carlsbad, Jerry started his career in the oil field as a drilling fluids engineer, more fondly known as a mud man. He spent more than 50 years working locations throughout the Rockie Mountains and the Permian Basin. He had always joked that he wanted his last breath to be taken on a rig floor.
 He and his wife of 59 years, Cheryl, had one daughter, who blessed them with three grandchildren and then six great-grandchildren. Given half a chance he would gladly tell you about each one.
 Though Jerry and Cheryl had relocated to Lubbock, Texas, in 2019 to be near family, Artesia would always be “home”, and the Bulldogs would always be his team. He logged countless miles and hosted many meals in support of his favorite players and their cheerleaders.
 Jerry is survived by his wife, his daughter Stacy (Mark Hughes) of Lubbock, granddaughters Kailea Murphy (Ethan) of Lubbock and Natalie Wallace of Austin, Texas, and grandson Zachary Wallace (Deshea) of Oxford, Indiana, six great-grandchildren Hallie, Knox, Braxton, and Scarlett Murphy and Liam and Tate Wallace, and one sister Sandra Troublefield of Clearwater, Florida. He was proceeded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Gordon “Slug” Allen and Don Troublefield and sister-in-law Virginia Cockrum.
 Cremation took place under the direction of Combest Funeral Home in Lubbock and a private family memorial was held. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lubbock.