David Butler serves as president of Madison Friends of the Library. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – David Butler has many reasons for liking Madison … “the people, Saint John’s, four seasons of weather, overall small-town atmosphere, variety of events/activities.”

“Madison is a great place to raise a family,” Butler said. He and wife Liz like the greenways, Madison Gazebo Concerts, theatre productions, Dublin Park, farmers market, Madison Street Festival, “We Care Wednesdays” at Blue Pants and Hogan Family YMCA.

He acknowledged “friendly city employees, like Gayle Milan, and City Council who are easy to contact and responsive.”

David Butler serves as president of Madison Friends of the Library, who make Madison Public Library function “by running the bookstore, helping with events and financial support.” He helped build Madison Children’s Garden; the Butlers now help maintain it.

“The librarians and library are awesome,” he said. The Butlers enjoy book clubs, like Time Out and Murder Mystery Inc. David’s favorite authors include Dick Francis, Bernard Cornwell, Alexander Pope and Robert B. Parker.

David was born in Jeffersontown, Ky., lived three years in Ohio and graduated from high school in Plano, Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Tennessee Technological University. An engineer at The Boeing Company, he works on the Space Launch System (SLS).

Their children volunteer at the library. Daughter Emily, 20, studies art at the University of Montevallo. Quinn, 13, will be a freshman at Pope John Paul II Catholic High School. Lilly, 10, will be a sixth-grader at St. John the Baptist Catholic School.

The Butler family enjoys game nights for Seven Wonders, Euchre, pinochle, backgammon, chess and Apples to Apples.

In their garden, David and Liz grow “purple potatoes. They’re pretty when mashed.” They hike, bike, juggle, cook and play tennis and disc golf.

“We like to have people over in the summer to cook out and play circus. We have a slack line, juggling balls, pins and diablos,” he said. “Camping at state parks and going to Dauphin Island are good vacations.”

“Panera Bread is a tradition most Sundays after mass,” he said. “Bento Box is always good. Edo’s for sushi. Lawler’s for their stuffed potatoes.”