Henry Richard Butker

With sorrow and love, we announce the passing of Henry Richard Butker, who entered eternal rest at 1:37 a.m. on Thursday July 9th, 2026. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend whose kindness, creativity, and quiet strength touched all who knew him.

Funeral mass will be at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 2855 Briarcliff Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30329 on August 1st, 2026, at 2 pm with reception to follow.

Born on July 30th, 1935, in New Orleans Louisiana, he is survived by his wife Judith (Judy) Marie Butker; his four sons Henry Bennett Butker and wife Alice, Richard (Rick) McLaughlin Butker and wife Gisele, Frank Louis Butker and wife Luise, Harrison Albert Bennett Butker and wife Elizabeth; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Henry Gustav Butker M.D., and Dorothy Marie McLaughlin Butker; and his two sisters Dorothy Anne Butker Fite and Brenda Louise Butker Kitto.

He attended Fortier High School in New Orleans, where he excelled on the basketball court and contributed artwork to the school, displaying an artistic talent that would shape his professional life. He graduated from Pratt Institute, launching a successful career as an industrial designer. His professional career included work with the Atlanta architectural firm McGinn & Associates and later with Bank Building Corporation of America. A proud New Orleanian through and through, he maintained throughout his life a spirited and unwavering dislike of Notre Dame, a trait family and friends came to expect with a smile and was equally known for his enduring love of Elvis Presley. He especially delighted family and friends with his playful Elvis impersonations, which never failed to bring laughter to those around him.

More important to him than any professional accomplishment was his family. He was the devoted husband of Judy for an extraordinary 70 years, a testament to enduring love, faithfulness, and partnership. Together they built a home and a life centered on family, raising four sons and creating a legacy that will continue for generations. For 60 years, he called Decatur home. One of his favorite family stories was purchasing the family's house on Heatherwood Drive on Friday the 13th, a date the family considers a lucky day.

Those who knew him will remember his kind heart, gentle nature, and willingness to help others. He approached life with humility, generosity, and a unique sense of humor that endeared him to family, friends, and neighbors. His wife, Judy, affectionately described him as "unusually wonderful," a fitting tribute to a man whose warmth, love, and kindness touched so many. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished and the countless lives he brightened along the way.

May he rest in peace.