Gary Wayne Bonham

Gary Wayne “Butch” Bonham of Cedar Grove, West Virginia went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 19. He passed away peacefully with his loving wife of 57 years by his side. His life was a testament to the power of laughter, the joy of a well-struck golf ball, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

He was born August 5, 1945, in Charleston, West Virgina to the late Douglas and Betty Jean Bonham. He grew up in the foothills of Cedar Grove, West Virgina working in the coal mines. After high school  he had a full career with the Local 290 Steamfitters of Detroit working for Penn Salt Chemical Company.  After 37 years, he retired and moved to Fort Pierce, Florida to enjoy his golfing hobby for 15 years on the Gator Trace Golf Course. In 2014, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and moved to Albany, Oregon in 2017, where his daughter, Maria Buttram, religiously took him to activities to ward off the disease for 7 years.

In his personal life, Butch was a family man through and through. He was the loving husband of Dorothy Switzer, a partnership that was as solid as the pipes he fitted, and as warm as the laughter they shared. Together, they raised two wonderful children, John and Maria, who inherited their father's feisty nature and courage. Butch was the kind of dad who could fix a leaky faucet with one hand while tossing a football with the other. Gary loved his grandchildren with all of his heart and gave the world to them, whether it was learning to tend chickens, feed horses, or listen to their poetry, he took an interest in all of their activities and supported them completely. 

Those who knew Butch would say he was as spirited as they come, with a heart as big as his smile. He was the kind of guy who could fix anything, from a broken car engine to a bad day. And courageous? You bet. Butch faced Parkinson's Disease with the same determination and humor he brought to every aspect of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Douglas Dale and Betty Jean Bonham.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Bonham of Albany, OR; children, John Bonham (Dawn) of Fanning Springs, FL, Maria Buttram (Russell) of Albany, OR, his brother Douglas Dale, Jr (Louise) of New Boston, MI; grandchildren, Ashley Arnold of Onsted, MI, Torrey Bonham of Balmorhea, TX, Alexandria Buttram of Albany, OR, Hayley Angelico (Joey) of Arcadia, FL, and Jeremy Collins of Cape Coral, FL; and two great-grandchildren, Jaxen and Dawson Angelico.

 

As we bid farewell to Butch, we remember a man who was more than the sum of his parts. He was a craftsman, a sports enthusiast, a comedian at heart, and above all, a cherished friend and beloved family man. Butch's legacy is one of joy, resilience, and the kind of humor that keeps us all young at heart.

So, here's to Gary Wayne "Butch" Bonham—a man who never let the rough get him down, who always found the fairway in life, and who reminded us all that the game isn't over until the last ball drops. Butch, you may have left the course, but your laughter echoes in the clubhouse forever.

Viewing will be held at Assum-Dufour Funeral Home in Albany, OR on Thursday, April 25 from 4-7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Assum-Dufour Chapel on Friday, April 26 at 11:00 a.m. Celebration of life for family and friends to follow at the Cascade Grill in Albany, OR at 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers we request that you make a donation to Synapse Fitness, which helps support people with Parkinson's Disease and their families: www.synapsefitness.org/donate

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