Knowing how to parallel park can lead to lasting friendships; being kind to a friend made in the 5th grade can lead to finding a wife and passing “the money test” can reflect the integrity that governs your life.

James Butler was the youngest of a large family born in Ware Shoals, South Carolina. He lived and worked on a sharecropping farm until he was sent to live with some ladies in Greenwood to attend high school. Soon after arriving, he noticed that some money had been left out in the open. Knowing not to take what wasn't his, he left it alone. The next morning he said "ladis I didn't come here for your money, I came here to go to school!". And, finish school he did. Becoming the only one of his siblings to do so.

He moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his honesty and great work ethic caught the attention of the owner of the Melrose Diner where he did menial jobs. He was soon elevated to a different position and trained to be a baker which was his job for 57 years. One of the highlights of that career was making a greeting cake for Ava Gardner!

It was in Philadelphia he reconnected with Eliza (Mae) Cornelia Martin whom he had met in the 5th grade in South Carolina. As she was new to the city, he called himself being hospitable when he visited with her. He had felt protective of her since the 5th grade. When a family “busybody” sent word back home that they were living together Mae was devastated that her father was upset. That caused more than a little discussion and they eventually married and remained so for 60 years. Out of that union were born two daughters Rita (Husband, Bill Holliday) and Beverly Ann (Husband, Frank Faragasso).

He and Mae purchased a home in Philadelphia and rented out the 3rd 3rd-floor apartment to a young couple, Mani and Anurada Subramanian. One evening he observed his tenant having difficulty parallel parking. He offered to park the car for her and continued to do so for as long as she lived there. That friendship continues to this day and that couple was visiting from Texas on the day of this interview and shared the story about his parking their car so many years ago.

After Mani completed his doctoral studies they relocated to Montreal, Canada, and asked Mr. Butler (Daddy as they call him) to drive them as Mani did not drive. He did and they arranged for his first airline flight which was back to Philadelphia. The Subramanians were also pleased that he made their son’s 1st birthday cake and attended Anu’s retirement dance recital in Houston, Texas in 2006.

Not one to limit his learning to formal education, Mr. Butler applied many carpenter skills that he learned from Popular Mechanics magazines to build showroom quality wood furniture. His woodworking skill was evident in the desk that I saw during our interview. At 99 years of age, he no longer uses wood but has substituted working with cardboard since moving to The Villages. He is currently in the process of making a lampshade out of cardboard.

Connection to his family’s roots is important to him and in 2021 he made a road trip with his son-in-law to Greenwood, SC where they visited many of his childhood favorite places. A video of that trip supports memories of the hot dog shop that he wasn’t allowed in as a child due to segregation and a visit to his family church where he was baptized 90 years ago.

Mr. Butler moved to The Villages in 2016 with his youngest daughter, Beverly, but now lives in his own home. He is in great health without the need for any medications. When asked about his mantra for living a long life, he said, “I always wished everybody well and lived with the thought of respecting them and minding my own business”. He further related that when he was born it was said that “This baby will not be alive when the sun rises tomorrow”!

Well, 99 years later he has seen many sunrises and many sunsets. And “God willing and the creek don’t rise”, in October 2022 he will celebrate his 100th birthday!