Ross Erin Butler, Sr.

Ross Erin Butler Sr. (16 June 1916 – 3 July 2004) was an officer and original board of directors member of Ore-Ida Foods, and executive board director of Boy Scouts of America's (BSA) Ore-Ida Council for 64 years.

Early life Born near Fairfield, Idaho, Ross was the ninth of eleven children of John and Bertha Thurber Butler. In 1917 the Butlers moved to Acequia, Idaho, and then again in 1922 to Twin Falls, where Ross began his schooling and his business career by selling newspapers at age four. In 1926 the family moved to Hollister, Idaho, where they lived until moving to Eden, Idaho, in 1933. While living in Eden Ross finished high school and met his future wife, a classmate in the class of '35 named Margie Dawn Werry. She was the daughter of Ezra Joseph Werry and Dot Allred and was born 12 October 1916 in Bellevue, Idaho. Ross and Margie were married in Moscow, Idaho on 19 September 1937. Ross graduated from the University of Idaho with a BS Business degree in 1939. In July 1939 the couple moved to Boise, Idaho, where Ross worked as an accountant for Idaho Power Company. In 1940 he transferred to Vale, Oregon, as their chief clerk.

Birth of Ore-Ida Foods and the Tater Tot In March 1946 Ross left Idaho Power to join F. Nephi Grigg and his brother, Golden, to form Grigg Bros. & Butler in real estate and insurance sales. He also worked to promote Grigg Bros. Produce, a sweet corn operation which eventually became Ore-Ida Foods, Inc. Ross managed the Grigg Bros. & Butler operation and served as corporate secretary and on the board of directors of Ore-Ida Foods. During this time the partnership also developed a brick-making operation named Oregon Clay Products, Vale Hot Springs Natatorium and Laundry, Oregon Feeding Company, Crown Cattle Company and other farming and industrial developments. Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC), and University of Idaho. " and "Another Kind of Gold ". Ross and Margie had nine children.

Margie died in May 2002 and Ross in July 2004. When Ross died, he was the last living founder of Ore-Ida Foods.