Longview artist dies in motorcycle crash near Hallsville

HARRISON COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - A single-vehicle crash left a motorcyclist dead Friday afternoon.

According to a preliminary report by the Texas Department of Public Safety, around 4:50 p.m. Friday, Jason P. Butler, 55, of Longview was traveling southbound on Farm to Market Road 450, about 6 miles north of Hallsville. The report states that Butler was traveling at an unsafe speed on his 2009 Suzuki motorcycle when he failed to negotiate a turn and collided with a road sign.

Butler was pronounced dead at the scene.

Holly Forbes, Butler’s business partner and owner of Forbes & Butler Visual Communications in Longview, described Jason Butler as a “creative genius” who loved being involved with the community. The two worked together for 22 years since founding their firm in 2001.

“He had a drive for perfection,” Forbes told KLTV. “Every client that he worked on or helped with, he hoped to make it unique. It accounted for our success.”

Forbes said Butler was passionate about whatever project he took on and had a “larger-than-life personality.”

“There was nobody else quite like him,” Forbes said. “He was just a unique guy.”

Butler was known for his frequent involvement with nonprofit organizations in Longview, as well as serving on the board of 100 Acres of Heritage.

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