Ernest (Butch) DeMaderios, Jr.

On Thursday, July 18, 2019 we lost Ernest (Butch) DeMaderios, Jr., at the age of 72. Visitation will take place Monday, July 22 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Burial will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter, Iowa on Tuesday, July 23 at 9:30 am.

Butch was born on February 21, 1947 to Ernest and Irene DeMaderios in South San Francisco, California. After graduating from Sunnyvale High School in 1964, Butch joined the Navy where he served his country for four years on two ships. He sailed the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and in the Caribbean. Upon returning from sea, Butch became a radio disc jockey in the town he was stationed in, Ahoskie, North Carolina. He went by the radio name of Ernie Wright. When he returned to California, he went on to disc jockey at a radio station in San Mateo and became a production manager and journalist in television. He met the love of his life, Kathy, in 1971 and married in January of 1974. They raised three children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Butch’s main passion in life was family. He was very active in his children’s activities from coaching baseball to being at every gymnastics competion. Most of all, Butch loved his grandchildren. He would beam with pride over each and every one. He looked forward to spending time in the garden every year with them planting “their” very special purple Cherokee tomatoes He would brag to anyone he would meet about all of their accomplishments. Butch was always in attendance whenever possible to their events- from ball games, dance recitals, band and choir concerts. He loved traveling and spending time with family.

Music was always a great passion for Butch. There was always music around him. He loved to tell stories about all of the concerts he attended and to teach his grandchildren about great music. Butch was also an amazing drum player, playing with many bands in his lifetime. Most notably, he played drums for the Doobie Brothers in their early years. Butch was also an avid 49ers football fan. He could not wait every year for the football season to start!

Butch is survived by his wife Kathy; children, Kama (Rich), Joel (Arti) and David (Lara); grandchildren, Nick, Zac, Trenton, Ashlee, Kailee, Aidan, Cassidy, Samantha, and Mia; great-grandchildren, Maeya, Paetyn, Chase and Olivia; sisters, Denise, Sharee, Mary (Boo Boo); brothers, Ron, Vincent (Squeaky) and Mark (Tweaty); and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Judy and Diane.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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