Dr. David Buttross, Jr.

Dr. David Buttross, Jr., 95, who was affectionately called “Papa B,” by his grandchildren died peacefully on Sunday, January 17, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

Dr. David Buttross, Jr. was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, on November 8, 1925, and grew up in Canton, Mississippi, with his mother, father, and seven siblings. He attended college at Mississippi State University where he was a member of multiple honor societies including Beta Beta Beta and Alpha Epsilon Delta. After just eighteen months of undergraduate studies, he was accepted into Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Following graduation in 1948, he served his internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. After his internship, he volunteered for the United States Army Medical Corps and served as a Captain in the Army during the Occupation of Japan. In 1950, he returned to the United States and began his Internal Medicine Residency at UCLA affiliate, Wadsworth General Hospital in Los Angeles, California. He returned to New Orleans at Charity Hospital where he completed his Internal Medicine Residency in 1953. During his final year of residency, he served as Chief Medical Resident on the LSU Service. Dr. Buttross moved to Lake Charles in 1953, joining the Lake Charles Medical and Surgical Clinic comprised at the time of four other physicians, and practiced at The Clinic for over 52 years. During this time, he served multiple terms as Chairman of the Executive Committee where he was instrumental in growing the Clinic to over 30 physicians. In 1953, Dr. Buttross met the love of his life, Joyce Abraham. They were wed several years later in 1958.

Dr. Buttross practiced Internal Medicine and Cardiology and was devoted to his patients throughout his career. He served as Clinical Professor of Medicine for the LSU Medical School and authored several papers published in various Medical Journals. Dr. Buttross was a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, American Society of Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He served on the Council of the American College of Physicians, Louisiana chapter, and was also on the Board of the Louisiana Society of Internal Medicine. He was a member of the Board of Trustees at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and the Board of Councilors for the St. Patrick Hospital. He was President of the Louisiana Heart Association and Chairman of the Calcasieu Parish Heart Association. He was also the Chairman of the Professional Education Committee for the Louisiana Heart Association for many years. Dr. Buttross also served as President of the Calcasieu Parish Medical Society.

He was instrumental in helping to plan the first Coronary Care Units for both the St. Patrick Hospital and Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Dr. Buttross served on the Calcasieu Area Manpower Committee, the Physicians Advisory Council for Blue Cross, the United Appeals Board, PAR, and the Committee of 100 for the Louisiana Medical School Alumni Association. He was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Dr. Buttross received the prestigious Laureate Award in 1999 from the Louisiana Chapter of the American College of Physicians for his commitment to excellence in medical care and education, as well as his service to the community.

In addition to his medical obligations, Dr. Buttross has been active in civic affairs as well. He served on the Board of the Lake Charles Chamber of Commerce where he was the Chairman of the Public Health Committee and Chaired the drive for the initiation of the fluoridation of the city’s water. He also served on the Board of the United Way and was a member of the Rotary Club and the Sierra Club. He served as a member for the Board of Directors of the Calcasieu Marine National Bank. He was a member of the Krewe of Contraband since its inception in 1963 and was King of the Krewe’s Ball in 2002. Dr. Buttross retired from Medicine in 2006 at the age of 81 and continued to enjoy life to the fullest. He was a member of Lake Charles Country Club and continued playing golf throughout his life. Dr. Buttross took his role as a physician and member of Lake Charles very seriously, however, nothing was more important to him than his family.

Dr. Buttross is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Joyce Abraham Buttross, his four children Lily Zaunbrecher and husband Danny (Lake Charles); Dr. Melanie Buttross (McLean, VA); Dr. David Buttross, III and his wife Mia (Lake Charles); and Charlotte Scott and husband Mike (Mandeville, LA). Dr. Buttross leaves behind thirteen loving grandchildren: Dr. Daniel Zaunbrecher, III and his wife, Haley, Alexandra Zaunbrecher, Dr. Nicolas Zaunbrecher, Sarah Zaunbrecher, Claire Thomas, William Thomas, Grace Anne Scott, Michael Scott, Mary Rose Buttross, Madelyn Buttross, Elizabeth Buttross, Layla Buttross, and David Buttross, IV. Dr. Buttross is also survived by his sister Fran Payne (Atlanta, Ga).

Above all, Dr. Buttross was a man of God, whose moral compass never wavered. He led a most fulfilled life and improved the lives of all he met. He will be truly missed, but the knowledge of his final destination leaves peace in the hearts of those left behind.

The family wishes to especially thank Dr. Richard Gilmore, Dr. Luke Williams, Dr. Ron Lewis and Christus St. Patrick’s Hospital for the special attention and excellent care they provided.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:30 Thursday, January 21, 2021 at The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Monsignor Harry Greig will officiate.  Interment services will be a private family gathering at Consolata Cemetery.  Visitation Wednesday will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM and Thursday from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home of Moss Bluff.