Melville Arthur Butt

Melville (Mel) Arthur Butt, 72, of Mount Dora, passed away Monday, October 14, 2019. Mel was born in Orlando, the son of Dr. Thomas Butt and Sara (Sally) Butt, and graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1965. He was a combat veteran in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, then returned to earn a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a major in General Business from the University of Miami in 1973 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Accountancy from Florida Technological University (now UCF) in 1975. He continued his studies at Florida State University, earning a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Systems in 1980.

Mel’s genuine and engaging personality attracted many lifelong friends with whom he enjoyed saltwater fishing, boating, waterskiing, and horseback riding. His appreciation for nature was reflected in his wildlife photography and the hikes he made in some of the world’s most challenging places, such as Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, and the Himalayas. But without a doubt, his greatest passion was sports car racing. During his years as a driver, he was a member of IMSA (the International Motor Sports Association), SCCA (the Sports Car Club of America), and the Porsche Club of America. He won numerous trophies over the years, racing a variety of sports cars throughout the Southeast, Texas, New York, and Canada. His favorite races were the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Mel brought together other drivers and a crew to form MAB Racing. He and his team shared great respect for one another, and they were well-liked by everyone in racing for their good sportsmanship.

For many years, Mel owned and ran a citrus grove business. Later in life, he created the Little Lake County Land Company, a rental property business in Mount Dora. Although his days and nights were filled with interesting experiences, he always found time to reach out to others with kindness, empathy, and a clever sense of humor. He and his wife of 26 years, Diane Butt, shared a never-ending love for each other and found joy in all the adventures life gave them. In addition to Diane, he is survived by: his son, Thomas Butt, Denver, CO; and his sisters, Carol Sanders, Zolfo Springs, FL, and Sara Healy, Tallahassee, FL.

A Celebration of Life for Mel will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2019, at 1 p.m. at Lake Receptions, 4425 N. Highway 19-A, Mount Dora, Florida. Please join in the celebration and kindly RSVP before November 15th by leaving a message at (352) 735-0766. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mel’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association (website: act.alz.org).