Joseph Butterworth: Local DJ

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Joseph Butterworth

My brother, Joe, would have been sixty-one years old on April 27. Many of you reading this may remember my brother as Dr. Sid Reagan III, bastard child of nine Republicans, Joe McNeil, or J.B. Palmer from his years of DJ work here on the north coast.

Joe was born in Brooklyn N.Y. but being from a military family took us from one home to another in our younger years before finally settling in Arizona.

It was here, in a small town outside of the army base, Ft. Huachuca, that Joe got his taste for being a disc jockey. He worked a summer job while in high school at K-tan Country Radio in Sierra Vista, AZ.

After graduating high school, he eventually relocated to Humboldt County where he fine tuned his on air talent in a variety of formats and stations that included KFMI, KATA, KHSU, KXGO, KHUM and KSLUG.

His easy going personality and ability to talk to diverse groups of people on a wide range of music, social and political topics made him a natural choice to cover community and fundraising events on location.

From covering the Kinetic Sculpture Race, Pride Day and the Polar Bear Plunge to live promotions for charities such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Raven Project and Miranda’s Rescue, Joe’s kind heart emanated through the microphone.

Many of you who knew him may not know that he was also a talented writer and before finding his passion in the realm of music and radio, he wanted to be an English teacher. His BA degree from HSU was in speech, communications, and broadcasting, but I believe fewer teenagers would have cut high school English class if my brother had been their teacher.

Joe loved the L.A. Dodgers, the Dallas Cowboys and being in the company of animals (especially dogs), but most of all, he loved people. Everywhere we went he knew somebody there. No offense that I have failed to make a list of friends, as they were just too numerous to mention. The list of those who miss him is just as numerous.

Here are some of those who will remember Joe with love: Constance Hanley (mother), Bob Butterworth (big brother), Lauren Favor (big sister), Andrew Favor (nephew), Angie McKay (niece), Caren Dukeman (niece), Barrett, Arley and Ember Dukeman (great-nieces), Karen Butterworth (former wife and friend), Jenn Davis and Armida Hanlon (daughters in his heart), Cindy and Lars-Erik Olofsson (family friends), Lyle and Kathy Svendsen (former sister-in-law and husband), and Kaleb Butterworth (great-nephew).

Written and posted in loving memory of Joseph Michael Butterworth, April 27, 1965 – May 2, 2025. On that day I didn’t just lose my beloved little brother; I also lost a dear friend. I miss you.

Joseph Butterworth