John D. Butler

John D. Butler (August 4, 1915 – February 9, 2010) was an American Republican politician from California.[1] John Butler was born in San Diego and played football at San Diego State, where he was named an All-American. He was a transactional lawyer. During World War II, he served as a in the United States Navy.

For other people named John Butler, see John Butler (disambiguation).
John D. Butler
26th Mayor of San Diego
In office
May 7, 1951 – May 2, 1955
Preceded byHarley E. Knox
Succeeded byCharles Dail
Personal details
BornAugust 4, 1915
San Diego, California
DiedFebruary 9, 2010(2010-02-09) (aged 94)
San Diego, California
Political partyRepublican
Alma materSan Diego State College (B.A.)
University of California, Berkeley
Stanford Law School (J.D.)

Butler was mayor of San Diego, a nonpartisan position, from 1951 until 1955. He was the first "native son" mayor and the youngest mayor in city history.[2] During his tenure as mayor, he was responsible for initiating the one-way street system in downtown San Diego and began the development of Mission Bay. He guest starred as himself on two CBS television series, the variety program, Faye Emerson's Wonderful Town, and What's My Line?. In the latter, a quiz program, broadcast on October 5, 1952, panelist Arlene Francis guessed Butler's identity. San Diego politics is the subject of an interview with Butler, which is included in the Oral History Collection of the San Diego Historical Society.[3] Butler lived in the Point Loma area of San Diego during the last decades of his life and was active at the San Diego Yacht Club and La Playa Yacht Club.

Butler was survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Virginia "Kirk" Butler, five children Carol Loverde, Rob Egenolf, John Butler Jr., Michael Butler, and Gail Alaimo, fourteen grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

References
  1. Gonzalez, Blanca. Former San Diego Mayor John Butler dies at 94. San Diego Union Tribune. Posted: 13 February 2010
  2. Pourade, Richard F. The History of San Diego. San Diego Historical Society.
  3. The Journal of San Diego History. Spring 1991, Volume 37, Number 2.
Political offices
Preceded by
Harley E. Knox		 Mayor of San Diego, California
1951–1955		 Succeeded by
Charles Dail


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