Leonard Butch Boyd Kindley

Leonard “Butch” Boyd Kindley, 72, of Charlotte, died October 18, 2018, at Novant Medical Center Presbyterian Campus in Charlotte. Butch was born in Asheville, NC, on June 15, 1946, the son of Leonard Boyd Kindley Sr and Marie Ogle Allen. While in the hospital, Marie shared a room with another woman and together, they agreed to nickname their children “Butch”, and though he was born a Leonard, he lived as Butch. He moved to Concord at a young age, living with various family members before graduating from East Mecklenburg High School. He attended CPCC and worked at the Barclay Cafeteria on Independence Blvd. There, Slug Claiborne, the owner, took him under his wing and at the age of 17 he met the love of his life, Diane Hartis, who also worked there. In 1966 they were married. Butch went on to work for Glidden Paint and he and Diane lived in Charlotte until 1976 when they moved to Charleston, SC, to open the Glidden Paint operation there. In 1984, they returned to Charlotte where Butch took on the role of District Manager for Glidden Paint. After 45 years of faithful service, he retired from Glidden in 2009. Butch enjoyed many things in life, but they were always centered around people and his beloved dogs that he cherished. Even with his challenging childhood of living with various family members, Butch grew to be a people person and someone who never met a stranger. In fact, more often than not, Butch knew someone wherever he went! When not working, he served his community as a member of the Matthews Masonic Lodge and Shriner. He officiated lower college and area high school football, basketball and baseball games for 25 years. As his children got into sports, he took a more direct role with them in coaching for his daughter’s softball team and for his son’s basketball and football teams. Even when not involved in sports, he never sat still. He loved tending to his annual garden (especially the tomato plants that he was known for), visiting hotel and casino resorts, travelling, socializing, parades, the county fairs, eating and going on cruises. Later in life, he became dependent on an oxygen tank yet he never let that slow him down. He was an amazing storyteller. If you let him tell you a story, it was known to be a bit more embellished than the last time you heard it. If you stopped by his house, you were treated like one of the family! You were treated to the sounds of 1950’s beach music and the sight of four televisions as he took in all he could through these electronic windows to the sports world. If you happened to stop by during the holidays, you were also treated to pie! As clearly evident, Butch loved life, and most of all about that life, he loved spending it with friends and family. Butch is survived by his wife, Diane; a son Mitchell “Mickey” (wife Ivon) Kindley of Charlotte and their children Claire and Aiden; a daughter Danna (husband James) Sanders of Mint Hill, NC, and their children Cameron, Harley Daniel, Abby, Jayse, Annalyse; and a daughter Jill (husband Mark) Love of Charlotte and their children Desirae Kindley and her daughter, Aubrey; JR Hall, Mackenzie Love and MaKayla Love. Butch is further survived by his sister, Shirley Allen of Charlotte and her son, Scott Allen; as well as numerous other relatives and friends. Butch’s family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for them. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 6 to 8 pm, and on Tuesday from 12:30 until 1:30 at the funeral home, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC 28105. At 1:30 on Tuesday, all present will gather in the funeral home chapel for a service led by Mr. Michael Neddo to celebrate the life, love and blessing of Butch. Following the service, all are invited to join in formal procession to Butch’s final place of earthly rest at Sharon Memorial Park.

Leonard Butch Boyd Kindley

June 15, 1946 - October 18, 2018