Ronald David Butler Sr

Obituary - Coach Ron Butler

Ronald David Butler, of Abilene and formerly of Ranger, passed away on November 6, 2026 on his 93rd birthday. Born on November 6, 1933, in Paragould, Arkansas to Virgil and Dorotha Butler, he was raised on the family farm and was baptized at Cotton Belt Baptist Church. He graduated from high school from Oak Grove High School where he was the star of the basketball team. He went on to play college basketball at Little Rock Junior College and Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls. After a two-year stint in the U.S. Army, he finished his bachelor's and master's degrees at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

While on leave from Fort Polk, he literally ran into Rowena Vidrine in Ville Platte, Louisiana and they were married a few weeks later. Although the courtship was quick, the marriage lasted a few weeks shy of 69 years! Ron and Rowena raised three children, Ron Butler, II (Lorilei) of Abilene, Michele Ritter of Ranger, and Michael Butler (Annette) of Tampa, Florida. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Ronald Butler, III (Trey), Sydney Butler, Allyson Economou (Connor), and Gabriela Butler, and a great-granddaughter Isla Economou. Also survived by brothers Lanny (Bobbye) and John, and sisters Barbara Auvenshine (Ray) and Jennifer Farhat (Bob Taylor). Ronald is preceded in death by his parents, brother Jerald, and grandson, Austen.

Known far and wide as "Coach Butler" due to his long and distinguished coaching career. He started his career in the high school ranks in East Texas but moved to Ranger in 1965 to become the Head Basketball Coach and eventually Athletic Director of Ranger College. His Men's teams were a perennial power winning numerous conference championships and reaching the National Junior College tournament in 1967 with dozens of his players moving on to play at major colleges and professionally. His Women's teams were also nationally ranked winning the National Championship in 1971. His teams played many major colleges and the Mexican Olympic team. Coach Butler and Rowena also ran one of the largest basketball camps in the nation for many years at Ranger College. After retiring from coaching to focus on administration at Ranger College, he started the first-ever softball program in 1986, and his teams were nationally ranked and made it to the national title game twice. His softball team was the only Junior College selected to play against the USA Olympic Softball team. After retirement, Coach Butler served on the Ranger College Board of Regents for 14 years.

As Athletic Director, Ranger College won two national titles in Baseball led by Coach Jack Allen, and a national title in Football under Coach Tim Marcum, and finished as National Runner-up 4 times in Track & Field. The Ranger College gymnasium and softball complex are named after Coach Butler. He is in several Hall of Fames, including the Region V Junior College Hall of Fame, the Ranger College Hall of Fame, and the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame.

Visitation will be at Edwards Funeral Home in Ranger from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on November 12th. A memorial service will be held at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Ranger on November 13th at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to his caregivers including Dr. Ferral Endsley, Dr. Norm Dozier, the staff of Mesa Springs Nursing Center, Hendrick Rehab Hospital, and Visiting Angels.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are requested to be made to the Ranger College Foundation (Ron and Rowena Butler Scholarship Fund) or the charity of your choice.