Gerald "Jerry" L. Butts

He was the original “boots on the ground,’’ guy. 

If a thought hit him from his Moline-based insurance office, Gerald “Jerry’’ Butts would drop everything and knock on the door of the mayor, the publisher of the local newspaper or anyone else he thought would listen.

Thing is, when Jerry Butts knocked…Everyone stopped…And they listened. Thank goodness they listened. Look around downtown Moline. Jerry Butts' visions are everywhere.

Humble to a fault and armed with a reporter’s gift to gather information from all involved, Jerry left us recently at age 93, having left an unforgettable mark on HIS community and the communities surrounding it.

The mundane facts will tell you Jerry was a co-founder and first President of Renew Moline, an award-winning development partner to the City of Moline that spurred public and private collaboration and produced $400 million for the development and redevelopment of Moline. It will not tell you the countless hours, days, weeks, months and years he spent nurturing relationships in a way only he could. Calling such an amazing man a “people’’ person would be the understatement of all time. Jerry could bridge a political gap and work for both sides of the aisle, standing firm with captains of industry all while making sure every step he took, every vow he made, was done to benefit every person within the framework of the community served.

With respect to many, he was easily the world’s kindest arm-twister, because his ideas, his vision and his intent – was at all times – genuine and from the heart. Jerry was a man of character, of great humor and was considered by any and all who knew him; a friend, a mentor to many and the man whose vision and foresight saved a city. To honor his and another co-founder’s contribution, the City of Moline proclaimed October 22, 2024 “Jerry Butts and John Slover Day,” recognizing them for their longtime commitment and dedication to the downtown and the City of Moline. 

It must be noted, there was a business side to this compassionate servant of his community. His Renew Moline work was on top of a 61-year career in insurance, the perfect career for a man who loved people, wanted to see them better their lives and plan for a future. You simply trusted Jerry to do what was right for you personally and for the betterment of the city he loved.

After attending Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN and Millikin University in Decatur, IL and serving in Army Intelligence in Alaska during the Korean Conflict, he came home and began a career in insurance. Having earned a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1960, he arrived in Moline a year later and took a Vice President position with Oakleaf-Tarbox Insurance, Inc. He acquired full ownership of the agency in 1972 and changed its name to Oakleaf-Butts Agency, Inc. Under his leadership, the agency served personal and commercial clients in the Quad Cities and beyond. He sold it in 1995 and continued to work for what is now Cleveland Insurance Group for another 9 years, until he retired at the age of 83. He also served Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (Big I Illinois) as a past President.

Jerry’s commitment to the community did not stop there. A member of Rotary Club of Moline for 62 years, he served as a past President and, in 2009, was honored as Rotarian of the Year. Jerry also served on the boards of several local healthcare and educational foundations, including as President of Black Hawk College Foundation. He was also a longtime member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Jerry’s start did not foreshadow his busy, productive life. He was born on November 26, 1930, in a log cabin on a relative’s farm near Franklin, KY. His parents had landed there in the midst of the Great Depression. Reflecting on his long, unexpected journey and dear friendships, he said he felt that he had been greatly blessed. 

Survivors include son, Kevin (Robin) Butler of Barrington, IL; daughter, Kendra DiPaola of Princeton, NJ; daughter, Kathleen (Chris) Popp of Troy, MI; grandchildren, Lauren Butler, Karie Butler, David Butler, Marcus DiPaola, Anna DiPaola, Bryce Downing, Peyton Downing; brothers, Wesley (Margaret) of Bowie MD and Tom Butts of Decatur, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Patti Butts and Linda Butts.

Memories may be shared online at www.esterdahl.com.

Memorials may be made to Renew Moline, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline, IL. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday, October 31st from 4-7 p.m. Burial will be at the Rock Island National Cemetery.

The funeral will be livestreamed and the link can be found below on the day of the service.