James M. “Butch” Winslow Jr., age 80, passed away on April 27, 2012 at the Nursing Home in Tonasket.

Born in Wenatchee, Wash., on July 15, 1931 to James M. and Vera Winslow, Butch is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Donna Winslow (Vogt); was father to Jamie Westover; grandfather to Megan and Ryan Lally, uncle to Rodney and Tom Silverthorne, and Katherine Knutz and has a number of great nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his daughter Wendy Winslow, his sister Betty Silverthorne and his uncles Ernie and Ed Winslow.

Butch graduated from Tonasket High School in 1949 and attended Washington State University until he joined the Air Force in 1950. After four years in the service, he returned to attend Wenatchee Junior College where he met the woman he knew he was going to marry, Donna Vogt.

Butch loved and played football and was a standout running back in both high school and college. He enjoyed flying and logged over 900 flight hours including an entrepreneurial endeavor where he flew produce between Alaska and Washington. He was a prominent orchardist, and purchased the Tonoro Fruit Company in 1973 where he spent some of his favorite years. Butch was a respected member of his community, and held memberships in the El Katif Shrine, Masonic Lodge, Lions Club, Tonasket Gun Club, and the Oroville Golf Club. Butch’s dynamic and gregarious personality and his magnetism was noticed by anyone who ever crossed his path. He knew how to have a good time and ensured everyone around him did too.

Butch was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle and never turned anyone away that was in need of help.

A military graveside service will be held on May 10, 2012 at 1 p.m. at the Tonasket Cemetery, followed by a Masonic Memorial at the Bergh Funeral Home, Oroville, at 2 p.m. All his friends and family are invited to the Oroville American Legion following the service for a potluck and open bar. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Please share your memories of Butch by signing his online guest book at www.berghfuneralservice.com

Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville/Tonasket in care of arrangements.