Throughout those years, the family struggled in poverty, but persevered in spite of their meager circumstances. Howard, the youngest, loved the outdoors. Some of his favorite memories included times spent at a friend’s ranch. Those experiences on a Hill Country ranch would change the lives of thousands in years to come. A dream was born—a dream to provide other boys and girls of meager circumstances a chance to know and appreciate the unspoiled beauty of God’s creation.



Howard pursued a natural bent for the grocery business. After serving in the U. S. Navy during World War I, he established the H. E. Butt Grocery Company. In 1924, Howard married the gifted Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth who possessed a selfless regard for the well-being of others. They were blessed with three children, Howard, Jr., Eleanor, and Charles. The family prospered as the children were reared within a heritage of Christian values implemented in the grocery business.



Together, Howard and Mary established, in 1933, one of Texas’ earliest foundations for their charitable, educational, and philanthropic concerns. Then, in 1954, Howard’s boyhood dream came to fruition when they purchased a 1,900-acre ranch in the Hill Country. Mrs. Butt’s diary records their hope to provide a camping experience for "maybe 100 boys and girls at one time." Never could they have imagined how their dream would multiply from that day to this. Today over 22,000 people—mostly boys and girls—use the five H. E. Butt Foundation Camps free of charge each year.

Howard, Jr. dedicated his life to both the grocery company and a ministry for Christian lay renewal. In 1961, Laity Lodge Retreat Center was built as a tool to encourage him in this ministry, and it now welcomes 2,500 guests per year. Across denominational lines, churches, families, and individuals by the thousands have been revitalized to minister to others. In 1966, Laity Lodge Youth Camp was born and has grown to serve over 1,300 campers each summer.