In Memory Of
Harry L. Felker
Harry L. Felker
Harry L. "Butch" Felker III, 62, passed away on Thursday, January 3, 2008, at Midland Hospice House after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on September 13,
1945, at Wichita, Kansas, the son of Harry L. Felker, II, and Virginia Lee Tandy. Butch graduated from Topeka West High School in 1963 and Washburn University in 1967 with a BA in Political Science. He joined the US Naval Reserve serving 17 months during 1967-68 with the US Navy Advisory Group Command for Korea and continuing in the reserves until 1972. He received his J.D. from Washburn University Law School in 1972.
Butch then began his civilian career at the Kansas Revisor of Statutes Office and was elected Park Commissioner in 1975-1985. After the change in the form of government, he went to work for the Chamber of Commerce and also for the Topeka Sizzlers. Felker was elected Mayor of Topeka in 1989-1997 and chose not to seek a 3rd term due to health concerns. During this time, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Topeka Youth
Project. He was re-elected Mayor of Topeka in 2001 and resigned November ih, 2003.
Butch worked for the Heartland Park Foundation until his illness in 2004.
Butch was a life member of the Friends of the Zoo, President of Alpha Delta Alumni Association and Downtown Optimist.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Louis Craig Felker. Butch married Paula H. Felker and adopted 3 foster children, Tammy, Joshua and Joe, they later divorced. He married Bette W. Martin on September 30, 2000. She survives at their home. He is also survived by a stepdaughter, Susan E. Allshouse (Mark) Hickory, NC and grandsons, Jonathan and Brandon, Lawrence, KS; his brother-in-law and sister-inlaw, Frederick A. and Christine Batterbury and nieces Julie Batterbury, Justin Partington (Dave) and Elliott and Faye and many friends in England.
Butch will lie in state on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Cathedral.
Memorial contributions may be made to Butch Felker Memorial c/o Alpha Delta Heritage Campaign, PO Box 1383, Topeka, KS 66601 or the Friends of the Topeka Zoo "Zoo Tomorrow" Campaign, 635 SW Gage, Topeka, KS 66606.
1945, at Wichita, Kansas, the son of Harry L. Felker, II, and Virginia Lee Tandy. Butch graduated from Topeka West High School in 1963 and Washburn University in 1967 with a BA in Political Science. He joined the US Naval Reserve serving 17 months during 1967-68 with the US Navy Advisory Group Command for Korea and continuing in the reserves until 1972. He received his J.D. from Washburn University Law School in 1972.
Butch then began his civilian career at the Kansas Revisor of Statutes Office and was elected Park Commissioner in 1975-1985. After the change in the form of government, he went to work for the Chamber of Commerce and also for the Topeka Sizzlers. Felker was elected Mayor of Topeka in 1989-1997 and chose not to seek a 3rd term due to health concerns. During this time, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Topeka Youth
Project. He was re-elected Mayor of Topeka in 2001 and resigned November ih, 2003.
Butch worked for the Heartland Park Foundation until his illness in 2004.
Butch was a life member of the Friends of the Zoo, President of Alpha Delta Alumni Association and Downtown Optimist.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Louis Craig Felker. Butch married Paula H. Felker and adopted 3 foster children, Tammy, Joshua and Joe, they later divorced. He married Bette W. Martin on September 30, 2000. She survives at their home. He is also survived by a stepdaughter, Susan E. Allshouse (Mark) Hickory, NC and grandsons, Jonathan and Brandon, Lawrence, KS; his brother-in-law and sister-inlaw, Frederick A. and Christine Batterbury and nieces Julie Batterbury, Justin Partington (Dave) and Elliott and Faye and many friends in England.
Butch will lie in state on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Cathedral.
Memorial contributions may be made to Butch Felker Memorial c/o Alpha Delta Heritage Campaign, PO Box 1383, Topeka, KS 66601 or the Friends of the Topeka Zoo "Zoo Tomorrow" Campaign, 635 SW Gage, Topeka, KS 66606.
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