Gordon "Butch" Wayne Fruit

Gordon “Butch” Wayne Fruit, 76, of Richland Center passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at Pine Valley Community Village in Richland Center. Butch was born on November 12, 1945, at the Richland Center Hospital to Lester and Myrtle (Haines) Fruit. After his graduation from Richland Center High School in 1963, he attended Platteville University. He then worked on the Sylvester Spangler’s farm and served in the reserves at the same time. In the late 1960’s, he served two years active duty with the Navy on the aircraft carrier, the U.S. Intrepid, during the Vietnam War. After returning home, he worked at the Badger Ordinance Plant in Baraboo. He farmed for the next thirty years on Ash Ridge where he made a home for his parents until their deaths. In 2002, he started working as a road patrolman for the Town of Bloom until 2007. Gordon lived in the house built by his great grandfather, James Madison Fruit in 1902. Butch was a wonderful, caring brother with the well-known thundering “Fruit Laugh”!! He loved listening to classical music, singing around the piano with his siblings and whistling beautifully in perfect pitch as he went about his chores. As an avid reader, he retained almost everything he read which made him very knowledgeable about many subjects. Butch enjoyed watching the Packers, Brewers and Badgers. Gordon is survived by siblings, Clinton (Vergene) Fruit of Dodgeville, Carol (Charles) Dieter of Beloit, Sandra (Randall) Scott of Sun Prairie, and brother-in-law, Allen Unbehaun of Richland Center. Also many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Myrtle (Haines) Fruit, and siblings: Garland (Laura) Fruit, Marilyn (Ernest) Williams, Wyvonne (Merlyn) Merry, Emmogene (Harold) Emerson, Avis Unbehaun and Madison Hubert Fruit. The family wants to thank the staff at Pine Valley Community Village for Butch’s excellent care. He always spoke highly of all of you. The family also sends a thank you to his hospice care team from Agrace for their compassion, guidance and communication with the family during his decline. Gordon has requested that there be no formal service. A private, family burial will be held at the Ash Ridge Cemetery at a later date. The Clary Memorial Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com .

Gordon "Butch" Wayne Fruit

November 12, 1945 - October 30, 2022