Donald Buttermore

1955 - 2025

Donald Buttermore
09/25/1955 - 08/06/2025
Don was born September 25, 1955, to Richard Donald Buttermore and Leslie Seagrave Buttermore in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He succumbed to complications from a double lung transplant received in July 2024, after a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The love of his life and wife Mary Florence Paulette was by his side during this difficult journey.
After Parkersburg High School, Don received a BA in Economics from Denison University in Granville, Ohio and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduation, Don went to work for Exxon (later ExxonMobil), moved to Houston, and retired after 36 years of service. There he held numerous positions, ending his career as ExxonMobil's Senior Cyber Security Advisor. He represented ExxonMobil at industry and government initiatives including development of the NIST Cyber Security Framework within the company.
While working, Don was also a Junior Achievement (JA) volunteer for 27 years, teaching high school seniors Applied Economics. At the time of his retirement, he was recognized as holding the record for the highest number of years volunteering with JA for anyone at ExxonMobil. His volunteer work started at Kingwood High School and ended at Reagan High School.
In Don's personal life he was an active runner, cyclist, and martial arts instructor. He ran over 10,000 miles along Buffalo Bayou, completed 5 marathons, a triathlon, and the MS 150 bike ride from Houston to Austin 6 times. For 17 years he was the Tai Chi instructor at the downtown YMCA. While teaching at the YMCA Don met his future bride Mary. During COVID, Don and Mary held free Tai Chi classes, in person and online, and continued to do so until he became ill. It was a great passion of his to watch his students learn the practice of Tai Chi. Don was also an integral member of the Lein Shen Wu Tai Chi class taught by Gary Martinez.
Don loved his yearly trip to Jazz Fest in New Orleans, which he had been doing since meeting Mary. At Jazz Fest, he would enjoy the company of the Supper Club Limited International, a large group of friends who attended yearly. It was in New Orleans where Don and Mary exchanged their marriage vows, in the presence of friends and Supper Club members.
He is survived by Mary, his wife and partner of 25 years, and sisters Barbara Buttermore Hansen and Jenny Buttermore Clark. He is also survived by half siblings Richard Leroy Radcliff, Angie Speece Chase and Dawn Speece Miles. His brother Richard Seagrave Buttermore preceded him in death.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.