Butch Kohler Damson lived an exemplary life. The only child of the late Mr. and Mrs. Otto Philip Kohler, she was born on October 26, 1939, in Pittsburgh, PA. Her father was a Colonel in the US Army, allowing her to live in various places around the world, such as the Panama Canal and Japan. Upon her father’s retirement, they moved to Huntsville, AL in 1953.
She attended Huntsville High School where she met and made lifelong friends. After graduating from high school in 1957, she attended the University of Alabama, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design. She returned to Huntsville where she worked for Brown Engineering for two years.
On February 11, 1963, she married her sweetheart, Jerry Damson. Their love and devotion for one another has been an example to everyone. During their 61 years of marriage, they successfully raised two kind, loving, and compassionate children, Deke Damson and Susan Damson Park.
Her father’s motto was, “Always leave a place better than you found it.” She took this motto to heart and for 60 years many people and organizations have benefitted from her efforts.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry Lee Damson; her two children, Deke Damson (Danielle) and Susan Damson Park (Bruce); six adoring grandchildren who affectionately called her “Bush”, Brandon Lee Damson (Kathryn), James Kohler Damson (JoAnna), Alexandra Day Damson, Patton Park Hammitte (Samuel), Sumter Damson Park, and Charlotte May Park; and six great-grandchildren, James Lee Damson, Liam Blake Damson, Eleanore Elizabeth Damson, Kohler Rhett Damson, Philip Reynolds Damson, and Samuel Taylor Hammitte, Junior.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Grace Critch and Paula Throneberry for being wonderful caregivers, and to Jennifer Hineman of Hospice of North Alabama.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 31 at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2300 Beasley Ave. NW, Huntsville, AL 35816. There will be a private family graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Holy Family School Building Fund, 2300 Beasley Ave. NW, Huntsville, AL 35816; Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Drive SE, Huntsville, AL 35801; or Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave., Huntsville, AL 35805.
