John Druley Button

Reverend Dr. John D. Button passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on August 20th, 2024. Dr. Button was born May 14, 1939 to Doris Parker Button and John Harrison Button in Kokomo, Indiana. He was predeceased by his wife, Meredith Payne Button, and his brother, Don Parker Button. He is survived by his children, Dr. Kristen Gael Button Thibodeau of Duluth, GA and Scott Parker Button of Fort Pierce, FL and his niece Elizabeth Ballew of Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Button also is survived by six grandchildren: Makenzie Button, Lauren Thibodeau, Parker Button, Luke Thibodeau, Kyra Button and Kody Button. He was a devoted minister, teacher, counselor, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

His father owned Button Motors in Kokomo for over 50 years and his mother was a house wife who was involved in many charitable organizations in the community. The family were members of the First Congregational Church in Kokomo. John was nicknamed “J D” growing up. He graduated from Kokomo High School. In his high school years, he was an active member in the Honor Society, the Drama Club, and was an Eagle Scout.

John then headed to Indiana University where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and received a Bachelor’s degree in Anatomy and Physiology and a Master’s degree in Botany and Zoology. John then headed to Andover Newton Theological Seminary in Newton Centre, Massachusetts seeking a Bachelor’s degree in divinity in 1966, a Master’s in Sacred Theology in 1969 and a doctorate in Pastoral Care in 1979.

Dr. Button met Meredith Payne his first year at Andover Newton, and they were married on September 14, 1963 in Bennington, Vt. They were married for 57 years.

For John’s intern year at Andover Newton, he and Meredith took a trip around the world, studying the Mission of the United Church of Christ and experiencing the Holy Land first hand. The trip had a significant impact on his life as a pastor in the United Church of Christ for 25 years.

John was ordained in 1963 and served churches in Thomaston, Maine; Easthampton, Massachusetts; Lake Worth, Florida; and St. Louis, Missouri. For twenty-five years he served churches of 200 to 2,200 members. He switched occupations at age 50 to become a Pastoral Counselor in West Palm Beach, FL after receiving further education at Samaritan Counseling Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He served as a therapist for close to 30 years helping people find the meaning of their life and helping ministers keep energized in their work. His passion was dream interpretation since the early 70’s and over that time has taught many classes on dream interpretation and has written a book on the subject.

A memorial service, celebrating John’s life, will be held on Sunday September 15th at 1:30pm at the First Congregational Church of Lake Worth, 1415 North “K” Street, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations be given to the First Congregational Church of Lake Worth Memorial Fund or another charity organization that is passionate to your heart.