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Community reflects on lasting legacy of Thomas L. Butch

By Sophie Vogelmann 6 min read

GLADSTONE -- Members of the community are mourning the loss of Thomas L. Butch, a respected and influential figure whose legacy of leadership, public service and dedication leaves a lasting mark on the community he helped shape.

Butch, aged 84, of Gladstone, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 15, in Byron Center.

After graduating from Gladstone High School in 1960, Butch attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1964 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1967.

Butch and his wife, Alice, were married for 60 years. The couple met while attending the University of Michigan and moved to Gladstone after Butch completed law school. They raised three children and welcomed four grandchildren.

In 1967, Butch joined the predecessor to the Escanaba law firm of Butch, Quinn, Rosemurgy, Jardis, Burkhart, Lewandowski & Miller, P.C. He was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan one year later.

Butch practiced law for nearly 50 years and became a senior partner at the firm. He also served as Gladstone city attorney from 1975 through 2013.

Delta County 94th District Court Judge Steve Parks began working at the firm as an associate attorney while Butch was a senior partner. Although the two did not work closely until Parks became a partner in 1990, they developed a close friendship.

"I have a great deal of respect for him and fondness for him, (he had a) great sense of humor. We just always got along very, very well, and I really liked him," Parks said.

Long after Parks left the firm to become a prosecutor and later a district court judge, Butch remained a trusted mentor and friend. Parks valued Butch’s perspective so highly that he sent him the first draft of his novel, "The Serenity Gang."

While Butch could have made an impact anywhere else, Parks noted Butch chose to return home and make a difference in his community.

"He chose to come back here. He had family here, his roots were here as a Gladstone High School graduate and this is where he wanted to be," Parks said. "He was a huge contribution on so many levels to the community, not only because of his legal knowledge and expertise, but his willingness to plug himself into the community through Bay College and other places."

Delta County 47th Circuit Court Judge John Economopoulos also spoke about Butch’s influence, saying Butch helped lead one of the Upper Peninsula’s most prominent law firms for decades. He also called Butch “a giant in the legal community.”

"The phrase ‘gentleman and scholar’ may have been coined before Tom Butch was born, but it was surely inspired by the anticipation of his arrival to the world. The man was a thoughtful gentleman and a sharp minded scholar," Economopoulos said.

Economopoulos spent several summers as a law clerk at Butch’s office, then known as Butch, Quinn, Rosemurgy, Jardis, Bush, Burkhart & Strom, P.C.

"He, and his partners, made it a priority to foster upcoming talent and mentor aspiring attorneys through summer clerkships," Economopoulos said. "The training I received there was the most formative of my career, and I owe a great deal to Tom, as well as to each of his partners and incredible staff for mentoring me."

Beyond his legal career, Butch served on the Board of the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District, the Delta County Economic Alliance Board of Directors and the Michigan Community College Association Legislative Committee.

He was also a member of Pi Sigma Alpha Honorary Political Science Fraternity, the Gladstone Planning Commission, the Remnants Barbershop Chorus, Gladstone Memorial United Methodist Church and an honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa.

Butch filled many roles throughout his life. His obituary states, "Among the many other hats he wore were these: marathoner, chess expert, coach, professor, philanthropist, Packers fan extraordinaire, mentor, guest preacher, investment blogger, frozen custard connoisseur, bulldog lover, bridge player, amateur stock trader and all-around decent guy."

One of his longest commitments was to Bay College, where he served on the Board of Trustees for 50 years, from 1974 to 2024.

Butch was the longest-serving trustee in the college’s history, and according to his obituary, he considered that service both an honor and a civic duty.

Bay College officials said Butch championed two guiding principles throughout his tenure: student success and fiscal responsibility.

"His thoughtful leadership and steady governance helped establish a culture of civility and collaboration that became a hallmark of the Board of Trustees, mentoring generations of trustees while keeping students at the center of every decision," the college said in a news release.

During Butch’s five decades of service, Bay College underwent significant growth and transformation. Butch reportedly helped guide the college through its first full accreditation in 1976 and every successful reaffirmation since, supported the expansion of academic programs across the Upper Peninsula and beyond through online learning, strengthened transfer partnerships with universities throughout Michigan, expanded student support services, restored intercollegiate athletics and advocated for technological innovations that positioned Bay College as a leader in digital education.

College officials said Butch helped secure Bay College’s long-term future through successful millage campaigns that funded the construction of the Learning Resources Center, the Joseph L. Heirman University Center, the Iron Mountain Campus and ongoing capital improvements.

He also supported partnerships that strengthened the region, including the college’s long-standing relationship with the Northern Lights YMCA.

As a member of the Michigan Community College Association Board of Directors and Legislative Committee, Butch advocated for equitable state funding for Michigan’s community colleges, which would later earn him a Michigan Community College Association Recognition Award.

In 2019, Bay College renamed its library the Thomas L. Butch Library in recognition of his extraordinary service.

Upon Butch's retirement in 2024, the Board of Trustees granted him Trustee Emeritus status, allowing him to continue representing Bay College at ceremonial events. He and his wife, Alice, also established a scholarship endowment through the Bay College Foundation.

"Although I had the privilege of working alongside Tom for only a portion of his remarkable journey, it quickly became evident why he was so deeply respected. He led with humility, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to students," said Bay College President Dr. Nerita Hughes. "Tom understood that strong institutions are built through thoughtful stewardship and courageous leadership, and because of his vision, Bay College is stronger today. His legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of this institution."

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone. Funeral services honoring Butch will begin at noon, with the Rev. Stephen Cowen officiating, followed by a luncheon in the church hall.

Butch will be laid to rest in Fernwood Cemetery. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County is assisting the Butch family.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.

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