IN MEMORY OF
GEORGE FRED PETTENGILL (BUTCH)
By Susie Ellen Crystal

Butch was my youngest brother
and I loved him dearly.
I remember the first time he
visited me in Idaho. He just
came walking down the street
and we'd had no idea he was coming.
He stayed about six weeks with us
and in that time he gave us some
happy memories we will never forget.
He showed me how Mama canned
mustard pickles and we canned
a lot that year. He helped me
plant fall flowers and told me
how beautiful the crocus is in
the spring,peeking up through
the snow. Mine bloomed every
spring after that and I would
always think of him when
they did. He used to sit
for hours with my children
sharing their stories and his
and they grew to love him
in those few short weeks as
I had always loved him.
They were very sad when
he returned home.
He visited us once again one cold
December and I remember there was
a contest going on at the mall.
They were giving away a VCR.
This was when VCR's hadn't been
around very long and they were
quite expensive. Not many
people had them then.
Butch said he was going
to win it for me and he
insisted all week that he
knew he was going to win it.
We went to the drawing and I couldn't
believe it when they announced
his name. He was the winner
and true to his word,
he gave it to me.
Butch always called me every
few weeks to be sure
I was okay and I enjoyed
his calls. Once he couldn't get me
all night and so the next morning
at six A.M. I heard a knock at the door
and there stood a policeman. He said
my brother in Maine had called
because he was worried that
he couldn't get hold of me
and asked him to stop and check
on me. It was nice to
know he cared so much.
I will miss those phone calls now.
I could always count on Butch.
He was a good caring person and I
knew if I ever needed anything he'd
be there for me. When he was
sixteen he rode the bus
to Syracuse, New York
to care for my three
children while I was in the
hospital having a baby.
He was the only one of my
family who ever got to see that
child as Ricky only lived
three short weeks. I am
sure he is with him
again as Mama has
taken him home to be
with her and Pa
and Sonny and Timmy
and all the other
loved ones that he has
missed so much.
Butch, you have a big part
of our hearts and your
family in Idaho is
thankful for the cherished
memories and love you
shared with them.
We will always love you.

The road you traveled was rough, it's true
And the mountains were hard to climb
But at last you have reached the summit
And crossed to the other side.

Your pain and sorrow have ended
And peace and comfort have come
Your loved ones you found there waiting
They greeted you, one by one.

We'll miss your loving spirit
Your humor and stubborn pride
But we'll take comfort in knowing
That Timmy stands by your side.