John David Butz, a generous and loving husband, son, brother, and uncle, died unexpectedly on March 13, 2026, in Spring, Texas.

Born on September 4, 1968, in Buffalo, New York to John and Sarah Butz, John was a magnetic force from the start. His reputation for pranks and rambunctiousness was only surpassed by his loyalty and strong sense of justice.

John's childhood took him from Buffalo, New York to Claremont, New Hampshire, Oil City, Pennsylvania, Waxahachie, Texas, and Houston, Texas. The moves bound him to his parents and four siblings who will always remember him as the funniest and most loving guy in the room. Everyone has a John story, though they are too numerous to be repeated here.

John attended the University of Houston and studied hotel and restaurant management, a natural fit for a man whose life was marked by serving others. He quickly advanced in his career running prestigious hotel restaurants, leading him to Kauai, Hawaii. There he also opened his first business, Lizard Lounge Bar & Grill in Kapa'a. Favored by locals and even celebrities, it won numerous awards on the island and became a special place for so many people to create new memories.

With a move back to Texas in 2008, he showed incredible strength and resilience, and he found many more adventures. John adopted a Great Dane named Fenway (his first was named Yaz, after his favorite Red Sox legend). He opened another business called Glass Tex, learning a new trade installing windows and bathroom glassware in homes and buildings across the Houston area. He was a jack of all trades, an amateur birder, scuba diver and talented cook. He made a habit of spoiling his thirteen nieces and nephews with food and new experiences. He was a wonderful partner to Xingjie and a most devoted son to his parents, John and Sarah.

John felt deeply, cared deeply, and loved deeply. He also embraced the things that made him happy - Steely Dan, The Who and other musical artists from the 70's and 80's, trivia on a wide range of subjects, and University of Houston basketball.

John is survived by his wife, Xingjie Du and her son Irio; his parents John and Sarah Butz; sister Lynda Ketterer (Jeff), sister Kim Wallace (Jeff), brother Stephen Butz (Tracy), brother Scott Butz (Karen); and nieces and nephews Megan, Samantha, and John Ketterer; Braden Wallace, Lindsay Santaella (Alex), Ashley and Andrew Wallace; Amanda, Jason, Ryan, and Brandon Butz; and Luke and Spencer Butz.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 19222 Tomball Parkway, Houston, Texas 77070.