Saying Goodbye to our Friend Terry Butler

We are sad to announce the death of long time Nicholas colleague and friend Terry Butler. Terry passed away on Saturday, August 13 in Napa, California.

Hemet, California played a key role in Terry’s life. It was the town where he went to high school and where he returned after serving in the Air Force to run the family turkey farm. This started a path that would lead to a career in an industry where he met and made friends around the world. Hemet was also the home of Deneille Mann, whom Terry met, fell in love and married in 1970.

Terry joined Nicholas Turkey Breeding Farms in 1990 in Sonoma, California which led to the move to Napa and to an area central to another passion of Terry’s - wine. Terry could always be counted on to make an excellent wine selection and share his knowledge.

During his tenure with Nicholas, Terry was involved in many aspects of the business including operations and logistics in his early days in Sonoma.  He worked his way up to Vice President of Sales and traveled extensively worldwide to promote the Nicholas brand. He never met a stranger, and with an engaging smile and an uncanny memory of spouses names, and children, he could, and would talk with everyone.

All who knew Terry recognized that he was a strong family man and his retirement in 2010 allowed him to spend more time with his wife Deneille, his family and his grandchildren.  It also allowed him to work on his golf game, enjoy his church family, give tours around the local vineyards for visiting friends, and to become a regular at the Napa City Police Department where he served as a volunteer. Many of us in the industry have great stories and memories of Terry. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family now as they mourn his loss and celebrate his life.