A Celebration of Life for David Martin Butterfield, 60, Lawrence, will be at 11 am Saturday at Unity Church. David died Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was an organ donor.
David was born June 17, 1953, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of Cecil and Joanne Wolgast Butterfield. He graduated from high school in Cincinnati, and later attended Otterbein (Ohio) College and Ottawa University. He was employed in residential services at Cottonwood, Inc. for ten years. He was an artist/cartoonist, and active in the EMU Theater, where he served on the Board of Directors for three years. At the time of his death, he was working on a production entitled “Horrorshow VII: Tales of Monsters, Malevolence and Mercy”
He married Connie Adams, and they shared seven years of marriage. She survives of the home. Other survivors include a son, Maxwell Butterfield, Lawrence; a step daughter, Jordan Crice, Chicago; his mother, Joanne Butterfield, New Bern, N.C..; and two brothers, John Butterfield, Arlington, and Gerry Butterfield, Cincinnati. He was preceded in death by his father, Cecil Clair Butterfield, and his first wife, Kimberle Rae Luther Butterfield.
Memorials may be made to EMU Theater, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.
I’m so sorry to the family for David’s death. I knew him from working together at Cottonwood. David was patient, kind, caring and very supportive of the people that we serve. He was funny and creative and with David’s help and leadership our department won the annual karaoke contest at Cottonwood’s Christmas party for a number of years. He will be greatly missed!
David was a wonderful human being, a most remarkable person. He always was. My thoughts are with his family. I am so sorry.
I only knew Dave for a short time, but from what I saw, he was a very smart and genuinely compassionate man. His work with Cottonwoods residential department was some of the most caring, sincere and professional I have ever seen, and he had the trust and respect of those he worked with, myself included. In the brief time I knew him he was without doubt a good and honest man.
May David rest in peace, and his family find comfort in his memory throughout the coming days.
I worked with David a few times when he filled in at the White House. He left a great impression. He seems to have what I would call a “golden heart”. My deepest sympathy to his family as they go on without him.
David will be greatly missed, he was a great man. I’m sorry for your loss Connie.
Bigger than life, in so many ways. His gentleness touched everyone he met. Though we will miss him, celebrate big, Dave would want it that way. His spirit will always be with us, Dave is one of those unforgettable souls.
I worked with David at Theatre Lawrence. What a talent and gentle person he was. He will be missed. I hope the family is able to get together and remember some fun times as I know his hearty laugh will resonate in your memories.
A big bear, a gentle soul, a fine illustrator, singer, and actor; a giver of time, a free spirit, a righteous man in every good sense. David made everyone feel bigger, better, and happier for having been around him.
Connie,
I am so sorry to hear about David’s death. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Deepest sympathy for your loss. David will be dearly missed.
My deepest and sincerest condolences to the Butterfield family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.
Sending Deepest sympathies for the loss of such a vibrant and caring man. David will be dearly missed.