During the 1950s, R.V. was joined in the bank by his daughter, Phyllis (Butcher) Monical, and his son, Joe D. Butcher. Phyllis started as a Teller, Bookkeeper, and eventually Cashier. Joe and Phyllis both graduated from the Colorado School of Banking, with Phyllis becoming the first woman to graduate. Joe followed in his father’s footsteps when he joined the bank in 1957, starting in an entry-level position as a Teller and Bookkeeper. As retold by Joe, “Dad thought that was where I ought to start, and it was the right thing to do.” In 1967, the bank relocated to its current location, and two years later, at the age of 33, Joe became President of the bank. Joe was known by many throughout his career for his incredible faith, integrity, humility and empathy. Every decision he made was with the best intentions and in consideration of everyone around him. He always considered his family, employees, community and church in his decisions. One of his most frequently used phrases was “Just do what’s right.” Many people in the community have shared stories of how he helped them, either personally, financially or through business mentoring. He genuinely cared about people and loved helping them. Joe was recognized for his philanthropy and served on countless nonprofit boards, local organizations and local councils. He preferred to give back quietly and without recognition. With Joe’s sound business acumen and exceptional character, the bank continued to prosper. In the late ‘70s, following R.V.’s passing, Joe began serving as Chairman of the Board while his wife, Donna Butcher, served as a Director, a position she held for over 40 years. In 1981, the bank purchased the Ford dealership property across the street for the purpose of future expansion and remodeled it into the First National Annex building. Joe donated the vacant property north of the Annex for the new Cimarron City Library. He prioritized giving back to the community, and this library continues to bless the families in the community to this day. The bank expanded again in 1991 with the purchase of Farmers State Bank in Ingalls, which is now known as the Ingalls Branch of the First National Bank in Cimarron. They also acquired an interest in Centera Bank in Sublette, Kansas, in 1986, where Joe served as an Executive Officer and Director for 24 years. Joe was an outspoken supporter of the Kansas Bankers Association and served on the Federal Affairs Committee from 1994-1998. He received his 50-year pin from the KBA in 2007. Like his father, this award was made even more special because all 50 years had been served at the First National Bank in Cimarron. In all, Joe’s service to the bank and the community spanned almost 66 years. Joe and Donna’s daughters, Dea Ann (Butcher) Kreisman and Kimberly (Butcher) Fairbank, worked for the bank during summers in high school. The next generation of the Butcher family officially joined the team, with the additions of Kimberly in 1984 and Grant Butcher in 1986. Grant served as the Assistant Vice President and Information Technology Coordinator and led the bank’s technology evolution until his retirement in 2020. Kimberly served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for 26 years before becoming Chairman of the Board and CEO in 2010. (L-R) Joe Butcher and his mother, Willa Butcher (R.V.’s wife), with two directors at the bank, and Donna Butcher (Joe’s wife). (L-R) Joe Butcher with three bank officers and his sister, Phyllis (Butcher) Monical. (L-R) Two bank officers with Joe Butcher and his daughter, Kimberly (Butcher) Fairbank, on the 75th anniversary of the bank. Grant Butcher (far left), Joe Butcher (middle), Donna Butcher (in pink) and Kimberly (Butcher) Fairbank (in blue) at the presentation of Joe’s 50-year KBA award. Continued on page 18 16
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