Charles Leon Butler – musician, United States Marine and family man – died of a brief illness on June 15, 2026 at home. He was born on March 26, 1934 in Bloomberg, TX to Rev. Ezekiel and Lula Mae Tumblin Butler and spent his early life in Tucson, AZ. Known as Leon as a child and in his early days in the Marine Corps, at some point in time he became Charles, Charlie, or Chuck, the man we all know and honor today.

Charles’s destiny lay in his hands - at age five he began playing piano and soon after the trumpet. Tucson High School is where he solidified himself as an entertainer. Charles gathered other like-minded classmates, created a dance band, and would perform at parties and high school events.

Instead of taking over the family business, Charles forged his own path and joined the Marine Corps. Upon graduation he began his 23-year career as a Marine bandsman. No matter where he was stationed he was able to create a dance band that played to packed houses. With his gift of arranging music, he quickly grew a reputation as the man fellow Marines and Army soldier musicians wanted to play with. In 1955 he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan - this would be a life-changing event. There he met his former wife Fumiko, and together they welcomed five children into the world.

Retirement from the Corps in 1976 sent him in a new direction - civilian life! Charles continued chasing his dreams and received AA degrees in Business, Music and Child Development and created his band “Music Unlimited.” He began work for Saddleback Valley Unified School District as a sub-custodian; soon he was offered a full-time position with a principal who respected Charles's work ethic and ability to engage with staff, students and community alike. As one of the first people of color working for the district, Charles understood his responsibility to ensure others would follow. Upward mobility came quickly; he became Field Supervisor of Maintenance and Operations for the district. He had hundreds of employees under his watch and helped the district grow to thirty-one schools. Charles also created a summer employment program for high school students, of which many of his grandchildren were hired as their first jobs. His second retirement came at 70 years old. Annually, he reunited with fellow band retirees/veterans of the Marine Corps Musicians Association.

Charles was predeceased by his parents, brothers Eugene and Herman, and granddaughter Madisyn. He leaves his children and their spouses, Anita (Milhim), Cynthia, Charmaine, and Charles, Jr; his fourteen grandchildren and their spouses/significant others, Jamil, Basel (Michelle), Lenna (Emily), Charlie, Courtney (Abelino), Rhea, Lucy, Frances (Daniel), Chloe, Justin, Tyler, Jordan (Amber), Charmayne, his fourteen great-grandchildren, a great-great-grand daughter; many dear friends; and his beloved dog Louie. A special thank you to Amber Brown and her children Brendan and Brielle.

A viewing for Charles will take place at O’Connor Mortuary on Friday, June 26th from the hours of 8am -10am with funeral services following at 10am. The mortuary is located at 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills. Repast will follow at Aliso Creek Country Club, 33 Santa Barbara Dr., Aliso Viejo. Private burial will be at Riverside National Cemetery at a later date.