Ed, was one of the nicest guys at TJ. a good athlete and always laugh at my jokes. He is up in heaven wearing his HY3 JACKET. Like all our friends, we graduated with, he is having a good time and not suffering anymore.
I'm sorry to hear about Ed's passing. I have fond memories of Ed in HY3 and playing first base on the ivy baseball team. I still remember that game when he picked of a guy on first using the hidden ball trick. Great memories and a great friend at TJ.
Here are some fond comments I shared at Ed's funeral last Fall:
About Ed Butterworth -- Nov 20, 2024 by Sally Felvey Guynn
I’ve known Ed since our days in the 60s at Richmond’s Thomas Jefferson High School (TJ). What first comes to mind when I think about Ed? Two words. Two GIANT words, that is…GOODNESS and KINDNESS.
In school, Ed was well liked…quiet, cute, energetic, preppy, nice, smart, involved (school news paper, school play)…. And very school spirited. He had one of those winning smiles. And he was one of very few who drove to school. But he was so much more than that. So much more than the twinkle in his eye. You could see clues back then that Ed was on an evolutionary pathway to becoming a full-blown Renaissance Man.
I offer these six little tales about Ed:
1.A RIDE HOME: One day, long after school had ended for the day and after both he and I had been to our separate practices (his working on the school newsletter and my play practice) …I realized I faced a long walk home -- darkness sure to catch me. I ran into Ed and asked him for a ride home…”Sure”, he said!” That was classic “Ed”. No questions asked. No obligation. You see, Ed modeled the meaning of a stand-up kind of guy back then and for the next 60 years following!
2.Hi Y III CLUB: Another glimpse of Ed during high school days can be found when he was elected President of a new school social service club, Hi Y III CLUB. Ed led it to impressive levels of service achievement, earning it “School’s MOST OUTSTANDING SOCIAL SERVICE CLUB FOR THE YEAR!” Ed epitomized the definition of an effective leader.
This past summer I found out how much more TJ meant to him. I was writing a book about our school class at TJ, “The Vikings’ Memoir – 1964”. What I couldn’t remember, I interviewed classmates then wrote up their stories. Ed told me about his love of and competitive achievements in BOWLING early on through high school. And he told me how very proud he was of his Key Club accomplishments. He began searching madly at home for his old grey Key Club jacket and eventually sent me a photo of him wearing it when he finally located it. Straightaway, I put it in the book along with his story.
3.THE ENCOURAGER: Fifty years after high school, it’s 2014, and we’re both working on our 50th reunion planning committee. The team begins a monthly lunch together. At one of the lunches, I mention how I’ve just retired and would love to learn how to paint but had never had any training. Ed suggested the Lifelong Learning Institute for some classes and vigorously encouraged me to continue my art dream. It was LIFE CHANGING for me. I’ll always be grateful to him for encouraging me. Ed took some art classes at LLI also. We shared admiration for Bev Doolittle, a western artist. He loved painting, even venturing off to paint novel art on car hub caps…200 or more of them at last count!
4.DOG STORY: Ed’s characteristics of kindness and goodness extended to dogs, too. He and Nim loved their little Westies. Maggie was the last. Once, as I drove down Winterfield Rd to attend an art class at LLI, I saw Ed and Mags in my rearview mirror walking together, crossing the road. Being a dog lover myself, that sweet sight imprinted in my mind. Again, goodness and kindness.
5.PICKLE STORY: GARDENING PICKLES & BRIDGE. Ed loved his garden, particularly experimenting with canning his cukes into his amazing bread & butter pickles which he shared. And one last recollection is how much he loved playing bridge and how much he adored traveling to fabulous places with Nim.
I ASK MYSELF, “WHAT ARE ED’S MARKS OF A GOOD MAN?”
WHAT WILL I MOST REMEMBER ABOUT HIM?
He had a GENTLE SPIRIT AND A LIVELY INTELLECT. I respected his opinions on things. He was wide-eyed, sharp, and purposeful, but never a wild boy.
He enjoyed MANY LOVES – his famiy, his school, his church, his country, friends, gardening, canning, art & travel, playing bridge, bowling, and experimenting since he was both artful and creative.
He was a true SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN, a QUALITY FRIEND, and A QUALILTY HUMAN BEING from boyhood throughout the rest of his life. His ENDURING COURAGE, TRUST, AND PATIENCE….WAS PART OF HIS SECRET.
WHAT WILL I MISS MOST? His Counsel and encouragement.
WHAT STANDS OUT MOST FROM ALL I LEARNED FROM FROM HIM?
In addition to having more than a fair share of discernment, Ed was also a quintessential NUMBERS GUY. From knowing Ed, I learned YOU DON’T ARGUE WITH A MATHEMATICIAN. In many ways, he reminded me of the old Kenny Rogers song, “Gambler” and the words, ”you gotta know when to hold, know when to fold’ em, know when to walk away, know when to run”…
Ed knew his time had come to leave us. He was always somewhat prescient like that.
Simply put, he will be sorely missed and definitely never forgotten. I feel blessed to have known such a great person. Most assuredly, Ed left the world better, and that’s really saying something!
Willie Caplan
Ed, was one of the nicest guys at TJ. a good athlete and always laugh at my jokes. He is up in heaven wearing his HY3 JACKET. Like all our friends, we graduated with, he is having a good time and not suffering anymore.
May he rest in peace
willie
1/3/25
Bill Turner
I'm sorry to hear about Ed's passing. I have fond memories of Ed in HY3 and playing first base on the ivy baseball team. I still remember that game when he picked of a guy on first using the hidden ball trick. Great memories and a great friend at TJ.
Sally Felvey (Guynn)
Here are some fond comments I shared at Ed's funeral last Fall:
About Ed Butterworth -- Nov 20, 2024 by Sally Felvey Guynn
I’ve known Ed since our days in the 60s at Richmond’s Thomas Jefferson High School (TJ). What first comes to mind when I think about Ed? Two words. Two GIANT words, that is…GOODNESS and KINDNESS.
In school, Ed was well liked…quiet, cute, energetic, preppy, nice, smart, involved (school news paper, school play)…. And very school spirited. He had one of those winning smiles. And he was one of very few who drove to school. But he was so much more than that. So much more than the twinkle in his eye. You could see clues back then that Ed was on an evolutionary pathway to becoming a full-blown Renaissance Man.
I offer these six little tales about Ed:
1.A RIDE HOME: One day, long after school had ended for the day and after both he and I had been to our separate practices (his working on the school newsletter and my play practice) …I realized I faced a long walk home -- darkness sure to catch me. I ran into Ed and asked him for a ride home…”Sure”, he said!” That was classic “Ed”. No questions asked. No obligation. You see, Ed modeled the meaning of a stand-up kind of guy back then and for the next 60 years following!
2.Hi Y III CLUB: Another glimpse of Ed during high school days can be found when he was elected President of a new school social service club, Hi Y III CLUB. Ed led it to impressive levels of service achievement, earning it “School’s MOST OUTSTANDING SOCIAL SERVICE CLUB FOR THE YEAR!” Ed epitomized the definition of an effective leader.
This past summer I found out how much more TJ meant to him. I was writing a book about our school class at TJ, “The Vikings’ Memoir – 1964”. What I couldn’t remember, I interviewed classmates then wrote up their stories. Ed told me about his love of and competitive achievements in BOWLING early on through high school. And he told me how very proud he was of his Key Club accomplishments. He began searching madly at home for his old grey Key Club jacket and eventually sent me a photo of him wearing it when he finally located it. Straightaway, I put it in the book along with his story.
3.THE ENCOURAGER: Fifty years after high school, it’s 2014, and we’re both working on our 50th reunion planning committee. The team begins a monthly lunch together. At one of the lunches, I mention how I’ve just retired and would love to learn how to paint but had never had any training. Ed suggested the Lifelong Learning Institute for some classes and vigorously encouraged me to continue my art dream. It was LIFE CHANGING for me. I’ll always be grateful to him for encouraging me. Ed took some art classes at LLI also. We shared admiration for Bev Doolittle, a western artist. He loved painting, even venturing off to paint novel art on car hub caps…200 or more of them at last count!
4.DOG STORY: Ed’s characteristics of kindness and goodness extended to dogs, too. He and Nim loved their little Westies. Maggie was the last. Once, as I drove down Winterfield Rd to attend an art class at LLI, I saw Ed and Mags in my rearview mirror walking together, crossing the road. Being a dog lover myself, that sweet sight imprinted in my mind. Again, goodness and kindness.
5.PICKLE STORY: GARDENING PICKLES & BRIDGE. Ed loved his garden, particularly experimenting with canning his cukes into his amazing bread & butter pickles which he shared. And one last recollection is how much he loved playing bridge and how much he adored traveling to fabulous places with Nim.
I ASK MYSELF, “WHAT ARE ED’S MARKS OF A GOOD MAN?”
He had a GENTLE SPIRIT AND A LIVELY INTELLECT. I respected his opinions on things. He was wide-eyed, sharp, and purposeful, but never a wild boy.
He enjoyed MANY LOVES – his famiy, his school, his church, his country, friends, gardening, canning, art & travel, playing bridge, bowling, and experimenting since he was both artful and creative.
He was a true SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN, a QUALITY FRIEND, and A QUALILTY HUMAN BEING from boyhood throughout the rest of his life. His ENDURING COURAGE, TRUST, AND PATIENCE….WAS PART OF HIS SECRET.
In addition to having more than a fair share of discernment, Ed was also a quintessential NUMBERS GUY. From knowing Ed, I learned YOU DON’T ARGUE WITH A MATHEMATICIAN. In many ways, he reminded me of the old Kenny Rogers song, “Gambler” and the words, ”you gotta know when to hold, know when to fold’ em, know when to walk away, know when to run”…
Ed knew his time had come to leave us. He was always somewhat prescient like that.
Simply put, he will be sorely missed and definitely never forgotten. I feel blessed to have known such a great person. Most assuredly, Ed left the world better, and that’s really saying something!
Sally