David Buttermore

David Michael Buttermore transitioned peacefully on Tuesday,November 18th, 2025 at 4:43am. He spent the end of his life surrounded by family and friends who loved him as fiercely as he did them.

David was born on February 17th, 1958 to John and Johanna Buttermore. He spent his youth at 731 Commonwealth in Massillon, looking up to his four older siblings, Jack, Steve, and Brian, and Mary, who remained by his side until the very end. David attended St. Mary School in Massillon and graduated from Canton Central Catholic High School in 1976. During these years he made lifelong friends and developed a love of football and values he would later pass on to his players and children.

David was a father to four daughters—Nicole Jo, Angela Marie, Tonja Lynn, and Jacqueline Suzanne. He spent his young adulthood playing harmonica in a band and softball at the Bottoms, while filling his girls' childhoods with camping trips, dinners out, sports, and a love for life shared with family and friends.

Coach “Butts” was beloved by the hundreds of players he mentored while coaching football. He led the St. Mary Bears to years of winning seasons while preaching the mantra, “Attitude is Everything.”

David eventually retired from coaching football, but he never stopped coaching his four daughters through sports, school, and life-always pushing them to achieve their potential. This included growing families of their own with Peter, Dustin, Michael, and Jamaal.

While David will always be “Coach,” he took the most pride in his role as Papa. Papa Dave adored his grandchildren-Eliana, Dominic, Briar, Jamison, Mateo, Brayden, Teagan, Lucia, Peyton, Jaxton, Avalyn, Jase, and sweet baby Jiyanna. The grandkids spent hours at Papa Dave’s house-swimming, watching scary movies, having cousin sleepovers, and enjoying the best milkshakes ever.

David opened his heart and home to Pam, who became his wife and companion for 23 years. He mentored and coached her sons, Justin and Jared, with dedication and love. David became 'Pops,' to them and was proud to assume the role of Papa to Pam’s grandchildren.

The tragic loss of a father, friend, coach, brother, and papa will leave a gaping hole in the lives of all who loved him. We take solace knowing he is reunited with those who preceded him-parents Johanna and Jack Buttermore, brother Jack Buttermore, and dear friend Jay Jackson.

David is survived by his wife Pam Buttermore; his siblings Steve (Bette) Buttermore, Brian (Amy) Buttermore, and Mary (Scott) Sanders; sister-in-law Elaine Buttermore; the mother of his children, Patricia Buttermore; his daughters Nicole (Peter) Herrera, Angela (Dustin) Rampi, Tonja (Michael) Mattox, and Jacqueline Buttermore; stepsons Justin (Jen) Ricker and Jared Ricker; and his grandchildren Eliana and Dominic Rampi, Briar, Teagan, Peyton, and Jase Mattox, Mateo and Lucia Herrera, Jamison, Jaxton, and Jiyanna Buttermore, and Brayden and Avalyn Ricker.

He also leaves behind his beloved dogs Harley and Isaac, along with countless nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and former players—all of whom will keep his memory alive by remembering what he loved most:

Walking his dogs in the Grotto, swimming as many lengths of the pool as his lungs would allow, cooking feasts for family and friends, watching the Browns (lose) and his grandchildren’s games (win mostly), belly laughing about old memories, complaining about Boneheads, confidently dancing badly, playing the harmonica with zeal, sharing popsicles with the grandkids and unsolicited advice with his daughters, spending Happy Hour with his buddies and time with his family, reading his daily bible passage, doing his daily push-ups, and cleaning every single corner of the house.

Most of all, we will never forget the creed he lived and died by-God and family first, forever.

A Celebration of Life party will be held in honor of David in February-Date/Time/Location TBA.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Stark County Humane Society.