Precious Moments Creator, Sam Butcher Dies at 85
The artist behind the adorable Precious Moments figurines, Sam Butcher, has died. He was 85 years old and the company confirmed the news. The official Precious Moments Facebook page wrote, “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Precious Moments beloved founder, Sam Butcher, who was called home to God in the early morning hours today, surrounded by loved ones. In his final words he shared that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were with him, and that it was beautiful.”
The post continued, “Although the sorrow is great, it is our prayer that the appreciation and celebration of his legacy be even greater – the legacy of his glory-filled life, the countless blessings he bestowed upon the millions of lives he touched, and the incredible fulfillment of his life’s mission: to share God’s gift of love with the world.”
The Official Precious Moments Facebook Page
Prior to designing the figurines, he co-founded a business named Jonathan & David in 1974. He also had a children’s ministry television show where he told Bible stories while drawing. The company began as greeting cards and eventually were transformed into porcelain figures, which became quite popular to collect in the ’80s and ’90s. He created thousands of these characters and fans were able to visit the Precious Moments Inspiration Park and Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, Missouri.
Remind The chapel was inspired by Butcher’s trip to the Sistine Chapel in Rome in 1984. There is also a Samuel J. Butcher Museum there. May he rest in peace.
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August 2023
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