GREENS FORK, Ind. — Thomas William Butters, 84, artist, adman and advocate, died peacefully Dec. 11 after a life filled with elevating the arts, animals, human dignity and the spirits of all he touched.
Seventy-three of his paintings were exhibited in two one-man shows this fall: one at the Art Depot in Union City and another — titled “Elevation” — at the MacDowell Gallery inside Reid Health in Richmond. The wide diversity in his work ranged from plein-air landscapes to magic realism that often portrayed gravity-defying skyboats, animals, lighthouses, intriguing characters and racecars. Each painting told a story, designed to lift human dignity and good humor at the same time.
Tom was born January 7, 1941, in South Bend, Indiana, to William C. and Jane Bassett Butters. He graduated from Riley High School in South Bend, studied at the South Bend Art Institute and privately with Edmund Basker, and majored in fine art at Indiana University, Bloomington, where he met his wife of 60 years, Mary Anne Gilmer Butters, who survives.
Tom drew a popular cartoon strip, “Spinoza.” and was an accomplished courtroom artist and political cartoonist for the Indiana Daily Student and Bloomington Herald-Telephone. He continued to advocate for the IDS’ survival this year. He also was a book reviewer, advertising copywriter and artist for the Indianapolis Star and News.
He retired to become a full-time artist after an award-winning 50-year career in advertising and public relations in Indianapolis, New York and St. Louis, advancing brands including Pirelli, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, the All Volunteer Army, Budweiser, Pella Windows, PALLM software and numerous public office holders, most notably Senator Richard G. Lugar. He also enjoyed a successful run as a Sports Car Club of America race car driver, almost always winning podium finishes with his MGs in races throughout the Midwest with his Pepsi-sponsored cars. His knowledge of the global racing industry was surpassed only by his mastery of the history of film, art and world conflict, especially World War II.
An urban dweller all of his life, Tom somewhat reluctantly moved to his wife’s family farm near Greens Fork in 2001 after the passing of Mary Anne’s parents, John and Mary Alice Gilmer. He immediately discovered a new love of nature’s wonder, plein-air painting and a steady diet of allergy and asthma cures. The word soon spread throughout the homeless cat and dog population of the Nettle Creek Valley that they had a home on the lap, or in front of the giant fireplace of Tom Butters. He became a full-time painter after taking a workshop offered by the Indiana Plein Air Painters in New Harmony in 2007, inspiring his painting “Skyboat Afternoon,” which won Best of Show at the Richmond Art Museum’s 109th Annual Exhibition.
Since that reawakening of his artistic calling, he was invited to exhibit one-man shows at the Hoosier Salon, RAM, Indiana University East Salon, Henry County Art Association, Fayette County Art Association, Wayne County Fair, IU East, Preble County in Oxford, Ohio, and the Indiana State Museum. He also won many other awards at most of those organizations’ competitions. In 2008 he became manager of the Hagerstown Museum and soon expanded it to include Arts Place, a learning and exhibit place for young and not-so-young painters, singers, poets, violinists, authors and patrons of the arts. He taught more than 200 art classes during his eight years in that position.
He is survived by children Meredith Laura Butters (Mark) Easley and Molly Avis Butters (Aaron) Hale, both of Indianapolis, and Lt. Col. William Gilmer Butters (USMC-Ret.) (Col. Michelle USMC-Ret.); grandchildren Madeleine Jane Easley (Sergey Grokhovetskiy), Mary Josephine Easley, Margaret Joan Easley, Merry Alice Hale and Keller William Hale. He is survived by his sister Mary Jane Butters (Fred) Hipshear, nephew Alec (Katelyn) Hipshear and niece Nora Hipshear (Brett) Mason. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Neil Gilmer, and is survived by his sister-in-law, Kay Crum Gilmer, nephew John Dean (Shelaine) Gilmer and niece Ellen Marie Gilmer. He also is survived by a special cousin, Leland (Tina) Bassett, and seven grandnieces and nephews.
Tom was a highly spiritual man, of deep commitment to the Red Words of the New Testament. He worshiped most of his life in the Congregational Christian faith but believed he may have been the only person to ever be a Baptized Unitarian as a descendant of fervent Baptist and Unitarian clerics. He was a strong advocate of LGBTQ rights, the Second Amendment, the ACLU, women’s rights and an avid campaigner for brave, moderate Republican candidates, numerous arts organizations, veterans support organizations, animal rights organizations, shelters, rescuers and many environmental support groups, especially the Arbor Day Foundation.
He received many honors during his life, including induction into the high IQ organization Mensa, a Distinguished Hoosier Award from his friend Gov. Mitch Daniels, and was honored to be featured in a documentary by South Bend’s public television station WNIT in 2023. To view Tom’s art, go to tombutters.art.
Services will be held Saturday, December 27, at Culberson’s Funeral Home in Hagerstown, Indiana, with calling from 1:00–3:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service from 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Rather than sending flowers, Tom would like for friends and family to adopt a cat or dog in need, or make a donation to: Animal Care Alliance, 1353 Abington Pike, Richmond, IN 47374 or go to AnimalCareAlliance.com.