Thomas James "T.J." Butorac

Thomas James “T.J.” Butorac,  of Crosby died peacefully at the age of 89 on August 7, 2021 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  He was born the last of 11 children to Gust and Rose Butorac on November 28, 1931 in Crosby.  After graduating in the  Crosby-Ironton High School class of 1949 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  He married Elaine Anderson on November 21, 1953 and together they had 7 children.  He worked at  several different jobs in his lifetime with Satovich’s Milk Company, The Range Feed Store, Crosby Ironton High School, the railroad, the mines and retired from the United States Postal Service in Crosby.  He was a lifetime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby and the Myrin-James American Legion Post #443, Ironton.

T.J. had many different interests, most involving his love for the community of Crosby and his family.  When his family was young, he spent most Sunday afternoons playing ball with his kids.  He became involved with coaching basketball at St. Joseph’s School and organizing Sunday evening volley ball and community tennis tournaments.  He was also involved  in politics, serving as the Mayor of Crosby and a member of  the Crosby-Ironton School Board.

T.J. is survived by his wife of 67 years, three sons: Gus (Connie) Butorac of Bloomington, IL,  John (Ellen) Butorac of Ramsey and Tony  Butorac of Minneapolis and four daughters: Cheryl Brandt of Brainerd, Jeannie (Steve) Finley of Wickenburg, AZ, Mary (Lee) Pedersen of Brainerd and Nancy (Dan) Jacobson of Brainerd, nineteen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren, one brother, George Butorac, of Mesa, AZ and sister-in-law, Jackie Butorac of Crosby.

Preceding T.J. in death are his parents; six brothers, Tony, Milo, John, Philip, Gust and Frank Butorac; and three sisters, Mary Butorac, Kay Smith and Ann Majerus and son-in-law, Steve Brandt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am. Monday, August 16, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby with visitation at the church one hour before the service.  Burial will be at the Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby.    Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.