Kenneth "Kenny" Butler

Kenneth Eugene Butler, 51, Olathe, KS, passed away on Monday, June 15, 2026, at the family home. He was born and raised in Belleville, KS on April 15, 1975, to Katharyn Joyce Butler (Roe) and Dennis Eugene Butler. Kenny graduated from Belleville High School in 1993.

Following high school on August 10, 1993, Kenny joined the United States Marine Corps. During this time, he served as a satellite communications operator, and on November 9, 1996, he was united in marriage to his soul mate, Larissa (Woodside) Butler in Camp Pendleton, CA. To this union two children were born, Kaitlyn and Lauren. Following his honorable discharge from the Marines, the family relocated to the Kansas City area in January of 2000.

Kenny started his career at Southwestern Bell as a field technician repairing phone lines until 2003. In June of that year, he entered an apprenticeship for journeyman lineman at Kansas City Power & Light, now known as Evergy. Kenny excelled in his apprenticeship and graduated. He served the Kansas City metro area until his death. It did not take long for his peers to notice his dedication to his profession and kind spirit. Initiating forever impactful relationships with everyone he met. Kenny was the Executive Board Member of the local IBEW, and he volunteered as an Evergy Honor Guard.

He was a beloved member of the community and always made his family proud. He had many hobbies and interests. He loved playing pinball, scuba diving and listening to music (very loudly). His home was always open to friends and family and what he loved most was simply hanging out, having a drink with the people he cared for and loved. In 2020, Kenny was blessed to learn he had a half-sister through 23 and me. He was so excited and told everyone about his sister; in April of 2022, Megan made the trip to Kansas City so they could meet.

So many people will feel the loss of Kenny. He filled the room with his vibrant magnetic energy. What he enjoyed the most was the relationships he built over the years. Everyone has a story about Kenny Butler. He had the biggest heart and he loved his people. He loved his family with everything he had in him, and they felt that love every day.

Kenny is greeted in heaven by his Mother Kathryn Joyce Butler; his grandparents, Lonnie and Elda Roe, Kenneth, and Nadeen Butler; and Uncle Jerry Roe.

He is survived by his wife Larissa (Olathe, KS), daughters Kaitlyn and Lauren, his father Dennis (Belleville, KS), half-sister Megan (Weymouth, Massachusetts) and Uncle Kenny Roe and wife, Tammie (Herrington), and numerous other family and friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 25, 2026, starting at 1:00 pm, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville, with the family greeting friends from 6pm - 8pm.

Memorial Services will be Friday June 26, at 1:00 pm, at the Commercial Building at the NCK Free Fairgrounds in Belleville. Inurnment with US Marine Corp Honors will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Belleville.

A celebration of life will be in the Kansas City area at a later date.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Kenny’s lifelong love for animals, the family invites friends to celebrate their compassion by supporting your local animal shelter or charity. Contributions may be made to Kenny’s memory to help continue the care and protection of animals he cherished so deeply.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting Kenny’s family with these arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com