LASTCALL Donations in Larry’s memory may be made to Faith Community Church (www.faithtucson.org). excerpts from the Arizona Daily Star CRITTENDEN GAY BUTLER ’81 Lieutenant Commander Crittenden G. Butler, USN (Ret.), passed away at his home in Bonsall, CA, on 28 September 2013 after a long struggle with advanced prostate cancer. He was 55 year old. “Critt” was born on 14 September 1958 in Fitchburg, MA. He was the third of four children of the late Walter H. Butler Jr. and Fay Taylor Butler. Raised in Palm Beach, FL, he attended the Palm Beach Day School, followed by Cardinal Newman High School. He then attended the Naval Academy and graduated in 1981, spending all four years with his fellow 20th Companymates. Critt was married on 11 January 1986 in Coronado, CA, to the former Margaret Anne “Gigi” Nivison, daughter of Rear Admiral William Nivison ’47. Critt’s duty stations included SAN BERNARDINO (LST-1189), RAMSEY (FFG-2), Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, MARVIN SHIELDS (FF-1066), HALSEY (CG-23), and Fleet Combat Training Center, Pacific, where he earned his master’s in education from Chapman University. After an early retirement in 1998, Critt followed his father’s passion for education by starting his second career as the chief fundraising officer for The Orme School in Mayer, AZ, and later, Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, FL. Despite great success as a fundraiser at each school, what Critt truly enjoyed was working with members of the school community, but his “best school days” were when he spent time with his student advisees. Critt was passionate about life and about the people in his life. He especially enjoyed his loving relationship with his devoted wife of 27 years, Gigi; children, Marios, Brittany and Devin; brothers, Buck of Charlotte, NC, and Taylor of Tampa, FL; and sister, Lizann of West Palm Beach, FL. He was also extremely close to other family members, including his sisters-inlaw, Linda, Kris, Nancy and Janet; and brothers-in-law, Dale, Mike, Bob, Stan and finally Bill, who introduced him to Gigi. He never forgot how his mother-in-law, Betty Nivison, and her late husband, “The Admiral,” always made him feel like family, despite being 3,000 miles from his parents. Forever positive, there never was a day that he did not appreciate what life had to offer. Memorial services were conducted on 2 October 2013 in California and military honors were held at Miramar Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Critt asked that individuals support their local hospice organizations. The Butler Family
STEPHEN FRANCIS MURPHY ’91 Captain Steve Murphy, USN, died on 4 November 2013 on active duty following a more than two-year battle with cancer. He was 44 years old. “Murph” grew up in Catonsville, MD, and graduated from Catonsville High School. He received a congressional appointment to the Naval Academy, where he was a Trident Scholar and member of the varsity offshore sailing team. A political science major, he graduated with distinction in the Class of 1991 as a member of 19th Company. A career Surface Warfare Officer, Steve’s afloat assignments included navigator, first lieutenant and electrical officer in VALLEY FORGE (CG-50), operations officer in GONZALEZ (DDG-66), operations officer in Destroyer Squadron Two Eight (CDS-28), executive officer in NORMANDY (CG-60) and commanding officer in MAHAN (DDG-72), homeported in Norfolk,VA. Following his first sea tour, Steve was selected as an Olmsted Scholar to Kyiv, Ukraine, where he earned a master’s degree in international relations from Taras Schevchenko State University. Ashore, Steve served in a variety of demanding, high-visibility staff assignments including deputy executive assistant to the Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Italy, deputy executive assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations. Based on his superb performance throughout his career, Steve was selected for Major Command afloat. In June 2013, while undergoing cancer treatment, he completed a master’s degree in national security strategy from the National War College and was awarded the Colonel Richard Christie Marine Corps Association’s Award for Excellence in Writing. Steve was an exceptional naval officer; however, his greatest joy was family. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Carrie; their 12-year-old daughter, Madeleine, whom he cherished; his parents, Charles and Angela Murphy; and siblings, Diane Warner, Mary Rutter, Charles Murphy Jr., Elizabeth Flerlage, Paul Murphy and John Murphy—all of whom intensely supported Steve throughout this fight. Steve was a man of great integrity, courage, humility and deep faith. He was known for his compassionate leadership style and easygoing demeanor that had a way of inspiring and lifting those around him.An active member of his church and community, Steve also enjoyed cycling and triathlons. A true Sailor, shipmate and friend—he is sorely missed. His memorial service with military honors was held at the Naval Academy Chapel on 13 December. He will be interred at the Naval Academy Columbarium in a private ceremony. Henry Adams ’91 & Robert Pickerill ’91
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