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977 S. El Camino Real
San Mateo, California
John Buting, 62, beloved brother, uncle and friend, died July 13, 2017 from heart failure in Colorado Springs before emergency heart bypass surgery could be scheduled.
John was born on May 2, 1955 in Indianapolis to Walter and Margaret Buting. John earned his bachelor's degree from Indiana University. After earning a law degree from the University of Oregon, he practiced law in Portland for 15 years. John then made a successful career change owning and operating several small businesses in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
John's move to Durango, CO in 2012 in semi-retirement was a turning point in his life, where he was able to combine his love of skiing and star-gazing with volunteer work. He was particularly passionate working with children, and devoted significant time to the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers, the Powerhouse Science Museum, and other volunteer organizations serving the poor.
In the Southwest, John was able to pursue his great loves of star gazing and skiing. He was a tireless advocate for dark skies in every community in which he lived, writing letters to the editor and using his legal advocacy skills to successfully lobby local government to enact protective legislation. John loved to share his passion for the stars with friends, experienced astronomers, and newcomers.
John joins his parents, Walter and Margaret, and his brother, Joe, in the heavens. He is survived by his siblings Tom, Jerry, Marianne Murphy, Mike, and Rosemary Jorde, and six nieces and nephews.
A celebration of John's life will be held at the Animas Alano Club (Cowboy Church), located at 2601 Junction St., Durango on July 22, 2017 between 5-8 pm. Please join us to celebrate this special life. The following weekend John will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony in California. Memorial donations may be made in John's name to any of the worthy local or national groups John loved.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
I just came across John´s obituary. I worked with John when he was practicing law in Gresham, Oregon. We had many conversations about faith and other things of life. My condolences to John´s family
Janiece Wood
Work
October 26, 2022
John was a friend from Saint Mathews Grades 1-8 School in Indianapolis. Memories of us playing tag football during recesses and the many other school activities. John's passing is a great loss for us.
Daniel Mattingly
School
September 15, 2022
John and I tried several times to lead a star tour together, but it never worked out. I'm not sure who will fill his shoes. They sure are big. Now, whenever we look at the sky, we will wonder which star is John. Or maybe somebody already knows which one is him? Please let us know.
MK Gunn
Acquaintance
August 9, 2017
A friend forwarded me the sad news about John last week. My deepest sympathies go out to Johns family. John holds a special place in my heart because he was a big part of my childhood on Winding Way and later. Together we climbed trees, played capture the flag, explored the woods, rode our bikes just had a lot of fun together. I moved away but in a couple years returned to Indianapolis. It was in high school John and I rekindled our friendship eventually started dating and even went to the prom together. As life happens John and I drifted apart but I will always have fond memories of the times John and I spent together.
It was heartening to find out John still loved the outdoors and found a passion for exploring the night skies. As much as it saddens me to know my childhood friend is gone I can take comfort in looking up to the night skies and know John is there.
I wish all of the Butings peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Cecilia Conrad West Palm Beach, Florida
Cecilia Conrad
August 6, 2017
We served together leading nature walks for children at the Durango Nature Center for several years. I always enjoyed chatting and comparing experiences with him. Also, my husband Dick and I attended 3 or 4 of his star-gazing nights at DNS, and really enjoyed all of them. We were planning to join him again this fall. John will be missed by many!
Gay Grossman
Friend
August 2, 2017
John's infectious enthusiasm for the night sky has propelled my son and I to dig out our telescope. We attended three of John's "star parties" and loved them all. I served as a DNS senior naturalist with John. At night now, my son and I look at the sky and know that John is one of those precious stars. We only knew him a bit, but he affected how we view the world.
Ginny Chandler
August 1, 2017
Sending love and warm wishes to the whole Buting family in a time of passing. We were next door neighbors on Winding Way and yet I never really knew John. From his obituary sounds like he led a meaningful and successful life full of love and giving. Blessings to John and the whole family.
Lawrence Flynn
Neighbor
July 30, 2017
John inspired and touched the lives of so many youth in our town, leading "Star Parties" here at the Powerhouse Science Center, teaching astronomy programs, and even lighting dollar bills on fire for hundreds of elementary school children! This year he spent many hours helping us renovate our gift shop--a thankless task. We miss him. We are thankful for his time, for the person he was, and for the legacy he has left here at the Powerhouse. We will honor and remember him in all of our education programs.
With love,
The Powerhouse Science Center staff and board
Powerhouse Science Center
July 25, 2017
John's passion for the stars and all of the night sky objects was infectious to all the many folks he touched with his programs. I had the honor of knowing John through five years of star gazing parties at Mancos State Park where I was the park naturalist. He and the Four Corners Stargazers made those nights so magical for so many and John would continue into the night as long as someone, often me, wanted to gaze away!
Thank you John for opening up the night sky to so many of us.
Sparkle on!
Carol Bylsma
Port Orford, Oregon
Carol Bylsma
July 24, 2017
From Wilkie 6 to 501 Washington, from Top of The World to AK, we were fortunate enough to have John in our lives. The Buting Bros completed the recipe for the best years of our lives. Today we raise a glass to John as we did w/ him 40 yrs ago. Our deepest sympathies to The Buting Families.
Brian & Patty Cady
Friend
July 22, 2017
Winding Way
Parting ways in his early days
Twist and turns along the way
Winds of change on the sixth floor stay
He woke me up to a chilled night gaze
The sky and stars had something to say
Enlightening his thirst as if they were his prey
I truly miss those Wilkie days
My best man we met in May
I will love this man to my dying day
The winds of change create a haze
The cosmic world is in another phase
How I wish we could all stay to see another day
Love Tina & Don
Donald Keller
Friend
July 21, 2017
To the family of John Buting. May the love of family and friends comfort you. Blessed are they that mourned: for they shall be comforted.
CC
July 21, 2017
John and I were best friends in grade school. We used to beg the nuns to let us stay in for recess so that we could watch the Gemini manned spaceflights on TV.
In Boy Scouts he would always have his telescope in tow for overnight camp outs in Southern Indiana. I am certain he influenced my life-long interest in cosmology and astronomy.
I have hope and faith that without the confounding constraints of our earthly bodies, we can explore the cosmos someday, with John leading the grand tour.
Tom Faust
July 21, 2017
Oh John, how I will miss your enthusiasm and vast knowledge of all things heavenly. It seems fitting that when I think of you now, it is with certainty that you are one with your beloved stars. I shall watch for you on cold clear nights.
Allie Mifflin
July 20, 2017
My sincere condolences to all of John's family on his passing. John was my best friend at Brebeuf and at IU. After IU, life took us in different directions but I could never forget John, Jerry and all of the Butings! God rest his soul and peace to the members of his family. John Schaffner
John schaffner
Friend
July 20, 2017
Dear family of John,
We're so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was a fine, funny, compassionate, and helpful man. We appreciated his volunteering time at our adult ed center and his love for and deep understanding of all things scientific. John was just fun to talk with on all kinds of subjects, a true Renaissance man. We'll really miss him and think of him up in his beloved heavens. Stephanie and the DAEC Team
Stephanie Moran
Teacher
July 20, 2017
John was so active in his many volunteer roles in Durango. And a ski buddy to many. We will miss him. R.I.P., John.
Bruce Rodman
Friend
July 19, 2017
I will always remember John's Stargazing Programs at Andrews Lake and at the Durango Nature Studies Nature Center. He never tired of sharing the heavens with everyone and it was always such a special night. He will be missed, and remembered often on starry nights.
Judy Schaefer
Friend
July 19, 2017
John and I sat at the table for many noon meetings and had so many similarities in our stories and messages to newcomers. Also had the occasion to watch the stars through his telescopes when he had programs for Senior Outdoor Singles. He will be missed around the table and the stars.
Ron Cornelius
Friend
July 19, 2017
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Funeral services provided by:
Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s Funeral Home and Cremation Service977 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402
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