Russell Cappel

Butch Cappel of Burleson, TX, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025 following a brief illness. Butch was born in Louisiana in 1947 to Leslie K. and Emilie (Primeaux) Cappel, Jr. Although his given name was “Russell Keith”, his paternal grandfather dubbed him “Butch” which became his preferred name for all his life.

When relating stories of his early years, Butch often referred fondly to good times spent with older folks, especially his own grandparents. He said his best friends as a youngster were the stray dogs near his home. He wanted to be a horse trainer and a rodeo cowboy. He got his bull riding career started just before he went into the U.S. Army. He went in during the late 1960s and did his service in Hawaii and Vietnam. Upon returning home, he became manager of a horse stable and resumed riding in rodeos.

In the following years, Butch moved to the Texas panhandle where he had a variety of jobs including working at the feedlot, horse training, and construction work. As he made the rounds to train horses for ranchers, his customers took note of how well-behaved and well-trained his dog, Sandy, was and asked if he’d consider training their own dogs. In time, his interest in training horses gave way to his desire to become a dog trainer. The following years were spent pursuing knowledge from others and doing his own in-depth research into best methods of training dogs in obedience and protection. He became a respected, experienced expert in the security dog world.

It was in El Paso, TX where Butch began his own guard dog business. It there also that he met and married Denise Benore. An added bonus for him was gaining a stepson and a stepdaughter. Later, Butch and Denise decided to move to Burleson, TX where they made their home and started a board and train kennel, Cappel Canine.

Butch’s dog training brought many wonderful people and experiences into his life, far too many to list here. He greatly valued his friends and mentors from all over the country and around the world who he came to know through his work with dogs. K9 Pro Sports, a competition for protection dogs started by Butch, brought a lot of talented and dedicated people into his life. Butch was very grateful for all of those who helped him along the way, and he was always generous with his time and wisdom to help others have a better relationship with their own dogs. He was a teacher who never stopped being a student. His stories, his humor, and his heart will long be remembered and treasured.

Butch is survived by his wife, Denise; stepson Lorne Benore and wife Felicia and their three children; stepdaughter Stephanie Fraser and husband Edd and their three children; his three sisters and a brother. He was especially close to his sister and brother-in-law, T.C. and Richard Bombet. He leaves behind his beloved Black Bart, the original Cappel Western Shepherd.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.