Christopher Michael Butler, affectionately known as “Chris” by his friends, was born on May 1, 1992, in Akron, Ohio. He was the beloved son and only child of his loving and devoted parents, Jacqueline A. Silas-Butler and Lawrence B. Butler, Jr. He departed this earthly life suddenly on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in Akron, Ohio. He was a gift of life from God and sadly, he was taken away from us too soon. We thank God for entrusting him to us. We will cherish his memories for a lifetime.

Christopher grew up in a home that valued love, family, faith, and service. He was a loving son that was exposed to many opportunities. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his friends and was very generous with his time and treasure. He also valued his quiet time. Christopher had an infectious personality, a welcoming spirit, and he often would engage you in discussions, sometimes taking an adverse position to test your knowledge or your commitment to your position.

Christopher was active in a variety of activities, and you could always count on his parents being available at every juncture in his life. He and his friends relied on his parents, particularly his dad for night events, to take them to their various activities and wait for long periods of time in the car while they enjoyed their fun. His life was often chronicled in the thousands of photographs his mother took of him in his various activities and walks of his life. He often would tease his mom that “she saved everything he did.”

Christopher was a very smart person and started reading at a very early age. His mom still remembers a phone call she received from his pre-school principal who asked, “Mrs. Butler, do you know that Christopher can read?” It was no surprise to his parents or anyone else who knew him because he was often reading and pointing to words he would see and exclaiming the words for all to hear. He also enjoyed drawing and to occupy his time, particularly in church, he drew detailed scenes of what he observed. As a reflective person, he would spend hours putting together a variety of Lego sets.

During his childhood and youth, he was an active member of the Wesley Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ) Church, and he participated in a lot of activities, including Sunday School, crowned the Homecoming King, and was a member of the Junior Usher Board. Later, he joined his parents at the Arlington Church of God, and he particularly enjoyed attending the New Year’s Eve services, especially when his grandmother was in town.

The family has many, many memories of his involvement in school, church, and community activities. Sometimes he was a willing participant and other times, he was a reluctant participant but eventually found that “it wasn’t so bad after all.” His milestones from his baptism service in 1992; participating in sports activities; serving as an escort for his fellow church friend’s participation in Miss Fashionetta for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; serving as another friend’s escort in the debutante cotillion for the Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; obtaining and furnishing his apartment; to purchasing his first car; to his visits to see his relatives in southwestern Ohio, Virginia, and Maryland, and everything in-between, he found joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Christopher was educated primarily in the Akron Public Schools, where he met some lifelong friends at Fairlawn Elementary School, Litchfield Middle School, and Firestone High School. He was a 2011 graduate of Firestone High School and during his school years, he participated in a host of activities in and out of school.
After graduating from high school, Christopher attended Stark State College. Later, he decided to pursue a career and follow his passion of helping others by becoming a caretaker for the elderly and those who had special health challenges. He went back to school and made certain that he had the requisite skills to support his clients. Working for Aspen Healthcare for many years, he enjoyed the flexibility of his job and the ability to work with a variety of clients as a travelling healthcare provider. A hard worker, for many years, he worked two jobs, one during the day and the other during the evening, providing custodial services for corporate offices.

As an adult, he was continuing to find his way and his passion. He was excited about going back to school to continue his education. Due to his father’s illness and need for support, for over a year he paid his rent at his apartment and stayed at home to assist his mother with his care. After his father’s passing in October, he was the protector for his mother and checked on her to make certain that her needs were met. Christopher was also a devoted grandson to his wonderful grandmother Elizabeth and he would often drive hundreds of miles to visit and spend time with her. They loved each other dearly and it was evident in their interactions.

Christopher also enjoyed watching sports, playing basketball and pool, working out at the gym, cooking and eating healthy foods, and playing video games. He touched the lives of many people and included in this obituary are some reflections from people in his life.

Christopher was preceded in death nearly four months ago by his loving and devoted father, Lawrence B. Butler Jr. He was also preceded in death by his beloved maternal relatives, Uncle Frank Silas Jr., Grandfather Frank Silas Sr., and cousin/”uncle”, Darryl E. Wilkins; beloved paternal relatives, Grandparents, Ella and Lawrence B. Butler Sr.; and uncle, James Albert Butler; his godmother, Eddye Mae Colvin Howard Lindsay; his beloved babysitter/family friend, Mrs. Sarah Gurley; dear friend, India O. Douglas; and a host of relatives and friends.

He is survived by his loving and devoted mother, Jacqueline A. Silas-Butler (Akron, Ohio); his loving and dear grandmother, Elizabeth Peterson Silas (Middletown, Ohio); cousin/”uncle”, Fletcher Tyrone Wilkins; great aunts and uncles, Vernell P. Lane, Ann and Donald Tyree, Gene and Katherine Snow; and Lucille Peterson; first cousins, Sean Franklin Silas, Shanelle Wilkins, Darrell “Timmy” Butler, Karen Butler, Cheryl Butler Henry Sweet, Tonya Butler, Michelle Butler Watson, Michael “Tony” Butler, and Beth Butler; aunts, Rosemary Butler and Sara Silas; Godsister, Michelle J. Cooper; special family, Trina, Aaron, Pryncess, and Jenae and extended family; a host of Peterson, Silas, Butler, and Stallings cousins; and lifetime family friends, the Cooper, Dennis, Sommerville, Williams, Gurley, Valentine, Turner, Lundy, and Walker families; and a host of relatives and friends.

Tis sad to part with those we love,
While here on earth we stay.
But then a brighter thought comes,
We’ll meet again someday.

Charitable donations may be made in memory of Christopher M. Butler to the charity of your choice or to the Silas and Butler Fund of the Akron Community Foundation, 345 W. Cedar Street, Akron, OH 44307 or online: www.akroncf.org

The funeral will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Arlington Church, 539 S. Arlington Street, Akron, OH 44306 with the service being livestreamed on the Church’s website at acogakron.org