Connor James Butera

Connor James Butera passed away Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 surrounded by those who loved him.
Born to Lauren Elise Mathews on September 23, 2009, he instantly became her entire world. In 2012, days after his 3rd birthday, Joseph James Butera, along with his two daughters, Taya and Jacey, entered his life and soon they became a family of 5. In 2015, Connor became a big brother to Elise, and then in 2016, he was officially adopted by Joey. Butera, Party of 6! The family was complete.
His favorite place on Earth was next to his Papa and Nana, Bob and Sandie Mathews of Amity, Arkansas. Their bond was special, to say the least, and one that is forever unbroken. Spring breaks and summer vacations were spent exploring their Arkansas forests, swimming in creeks, learning how to shoot, playing in treehouses, and complete with endless nights of love and laughter. This was truly heaven on earth for him.
Halloween was his first love and his favorite holiday, so much so that his bedroom was decorated for Halloween year-round, until he became a teenager. The Halloween decorations were replaced with music posters of various 90's grunge bands. He grew to love 1990's Alternative music, especially Nirvana and their lead singer, Kurt Cobain, who he dressed up as for Halloween this past year.
Always with a big heart and a smile that could light up any room, Connor was loved by everyone he met. Unapologetically, Connor was who he was and that was an incredible character trait of his at such a young age. A kid who never met a stranger, everyone he met was a potential new friend. He was polite, caring, selfless, and a gift to this family. Connor loved hard and forgave harder.
He is survived by his mom and dad, sisters, Papa and Nana, Papa and Nona (Don and Beverly Butera of Princeton, IN), and Pop and Gigi (Ken and Cheryl Barnett of Pasadena, TX). His Aunts and Uncles; Nick and Sarah Mathews (Manhattan, KS). Corey and Corinna Mathews (Vancouver, WA), Don and Sarah Belcher (Cedar Creek, TX), Andrew and Sarah Barnett (Austin, TX), Trey and Sarah Butera (Liberty Hill, TX), Travis and Maggie Butera (Honolulu, HI), Holly and Dustin Warren (Austin, TX), Dacia Butera (Princeton, IN), and Caden Butera (Princeton, IN). Countless cousins, family members, and many special friends.
Connor is preceded in death by his favorite Aunt, Erin Urquhart and his Great-grandparents, John and Sarah Wullschleger (Nannaw and Pappaw).
Connor's infectious smile and loving nature will continue on through those whose lives he touched.
"The Sun is gone, but I have a light"
-Kurt Cobain
Memorial Service: February 8, 2025 @ 4pm Burleson Church of Christ