Melvin Girty

Melvin “Butch” Ray Girty, 76, Kiowa, Kansas resident, passed from this life on March 16, 2021 at his home near Kiowa.

Butch was born August 25, 1944 in Hardtner, Kansas to parents, John W. Girty and Doris May Murphy Girty.  Butch grew up all over the world as his dad was in the U.S. Army from Texas to Germany.  He made some really good friends during this journey with whom he reconnected the last ten years.  He had lived in the Kiowa area over fifty years.

On August 24, 1968 Butch and Sharon were married in Kiowa and resided on Sharon’s family farm.  He farmed for many years and later started a custom cutting business.  After that he got into the trucking industry until his retirement.

He is preceded in death by his father, John Girty and his mother, Doris May Girty; his twin sister, Judy Hankins; another sister, Twana Jean, who died at birth and a brother, Gary Lynn, who also died at birth.

Butch is survived by his wife, Sharon Kay Girty of Kiowa; a sister, Karen Cutbirth and husband, Cecil of Aurora, Missouri; three children, Johnny Ray and wife, Tara of Kiowa, Danny Lee and wife, Stephanie of El Dorado, Kansas and Janelle Denise Herren and husband, Brian of Liberal, Kansas; twelve grandchildren, Summer Graves and husband, Austin, Kale Girty and wife, Rylie, Keean Bush, Beth Bush, Paje Bush, Emma Maltbie, Clare Maltbie, Peyten Girty, Hadley Girty, Gavin Girty, Karly Girty, and Deken Girty; two great grandchildren, Taten and Tenley Graves and two great grandsons arriving very soon.

It was Butch’s wish to be cremated.  Even so, there will be a Celebration of Life Service for Butch on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Fellowship in Kiowa with burial of cremains at Riverview Cemetery following the service.  Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Kiowa.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook:  Lanman Funeral Home Inc.  The service will be live-streamed at Stephanie Girty Facebook page.

Memorials may be made to Grace Bible Fellowship or Heartland Hospice through the funeral home.