Cimarron - Joe Donald Butcher, 88, died November 3, 2023 at the Healthcare Resort of Olathe in Olathe, Kansas. He was born on August 16, 1935 in Dodge City, Kansas, the son of Ruel V. and Willa (Niemeir) Butcher.

Joe grew up in Cimarron, Kansas and graduated from Cimarron High School in 1953. He attended Fort Hays State University, where he played on the basketball team for four years. He graduated in 1957 with a degree in Business Administration. While attending college, he met the love of his life, Donna Lavelle Smith. They were married June 29, 1957 in Arnold, Kansas. After their marriage, Joe and Donna moved to Cimarron to make their home.

Following college, Joe's career began when he joined First National Bank in Cimarron on June 1, 1957. He served as President for 14 years, then Chairman of the Board and CEO until his retirement on December 31, 2010. Joe was currently serving as an Advisory Director. He was also a Director and served on the Executive Committee of Centera Bank from 1986-2010.

Joe was a lifelong resident of Cimarron. He loved the Cimarron Community and believed we should all give back to the communities that help mold us as individuals. Joe was a member and president of the Cimarron Rotary Club and was on the Cimarron City Council for 10 years. He was an active member of the Cimarron Methodist Church and served on the church board and various committees. He was very passionate about maintaining and caring for the church yard. In addition Joe was actively involved in the United Methodist Church Kansas West Conference with the Pension Endowment Fund and the Health Ministry Fund. Joe was also a board member of the EmberHope Youthville Organization and Data Center Inc. He was a Board of Trustee member of the Fort Hays State University Endowment Association, as well as a trustee and president of the Trinity Methodist Hospital Association of Dodge City.  Joe was an active member of the Kansas Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association. He was also a member of the Kansas Freemasons-Ensign Lodge No. 413.

Joe enjoyed working in his yard and spent endless hours making sure the grass, bushes, trees, and flowers were perfect.  He set up several bird feeders and enjoyed watching a variety of birds come to the feeders throughout the seasons.  Joe enjoyed playing golf, traveling, boating, running his model railroad trains, singing in the church choir, and flying his airplane after earning his private/instrument ratings.  Joe loved having a dog and could often be seen walking his dog around the park, driving it around town in the old van, or having the dog sit next to him as he worked in the yard.  Joe also had a fascination with weather and cloud formations and studied both.

Joe is survived by four children, Dea Ann Kreisman of Parker, Colorado, Grant Butcher and wife Margaret of Springdale, Arkansas, Kimberly Fairbank and husband Rocky of Cimarron, and Robert Butcher and wife Angela of DeSoto; a brother-in-law, Lynn Smith of Kansas City; sister-in-law, Valda Haug and husband Dale of Salina; seven grandchildren, James (Kimberly) Butcher, Joe (Becca) Butcher, Jaden (Fischer) Almanza, Trenton (Sara) Fairbank, Brooke Fairbank, Stewart Fairbank, and Breck Butcher; seven great-grandchildren, Jenevieve and Kallahan Butcher, Nash and Lincoln Butcher, Sadie, Taylie, and Adley Fairbank; nephews, Steve (Ruth) Monical, Dick Monical, and Branden Smith.  He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Donna; his parents; a sister, Phyllis Monical; brother-in-law, Ralph Monical; father and mother-in-law, Hubert and Mildred Smith; and sister-in-law, Sue Smith.

The family is very grateful for all the caregivers, friends, and community for their support during this time. Funeral service will be held at Cimarron Methodist Church on Friday, November 10, 2023 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Kevin Reed presiding.  Burial will follow at Cimarron Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Cimarron on Thursday, November 9, 2023 from noon to 5:30 PM. Friends and family are invited to watch the live stream via Swaim Funeral Chapel's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/swaimfuneralchapel/ Memorials are suggested to the Cimarron Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.