Lakeside Middle School in Little Elm is mourning the recent passing of sixth grade social studies teacher Darryl Butler.

According to long-time friend and co-worker Sean Coffey, Butler was a passionate teacher and husband and dedicated his life to positively influencing those around him, especially his students. He was even named Lakeside Middle School Teacher of the Year and the Little Elm ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Coffey said he first met Butler when they were both starting their careers at Polk Middle School in Carrollton. They became friends the second day they met, when he saw Polk t-shirts that had the words “Do work” on the back, which was a motto that stayed with the two from then on.


“He believed you had to put in the work to be a better teacher, husband, man and person,” Coffey said. “I remember after he got married to his wife Courtney, I told him ‘you’ve got more work to do!’”

After Coffey had two twin boys, he said Butler never missed a beat in being there for him.

“He made each day about the kids,” Coffey said. “And he was the type of person who would be there to give you advice or just to have fun and goof around with.”

Butler had a philosophy that he applied to all aspects of his life, Coffey said. Each Monday was “Motivational Monday,” in which he would give inspirational stories and quotes to his students. This gave the students a chance to talk about their emotions and how to deal with situations in life.

“He wanted to do the right thing every day,” Coffey said. “He was always happy and smiling. You could not make him mad, and if you did, he wouldn’t show it. I would walk into his classroom and wonder how he dealt with some of the kids. But it was the toughest kids he loved the most. He always said those were the ones who needed more love, because if he didn’t give it to them, then no one else would.

“He kept in touch with all of his students. He still went to games, choir concerts, and never missed a graduation of his old students in Carrollton.”

As the Department Head of Social Studies, Coffey said he and Butler worked well together and were described by students as a power couple. They both believed that the school needed teachers who loved kids and were willing to go beyond what was required in the curriculum.

In the spring, they had different companies come to the school to show the kids options for future careers and success. Butler wanted the students to learn accountability, Coffey said, and rise up to their full potential.

Coffey said the school would continue to apply Butler’s ideals to the future of Lakeside and that he will be very missed.

There is a current fundraiser for Butler’s family to cover costs of both the funeral and bringing his body back from Honduras, where he was on a cruise with his wife for their first wedding anniversary. Go to youcaring.com/courtney-butler-389544 to donate.

Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams