Alan "Todd" Buttram's Obituary
Alan “Todd” Buttram, beloved father, son, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on June 17, 2024, at the age of 61 after a courageous battle with melanoma. Born August 21, 1962, at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, VA, Todd touched the lives of many with his strength, resilience, and unshakeable spirit.
He was a bright and curious kid, with freckles and a mop of red curls. He worked summers at the local Putt-Putt and won the Virginia State Putt-Putt championship in 1976. He graduated from Stafford High School in 1980 and with his fascination for technology and how things worked, got a job as a tech for Xerox. He became a single father to his daughter, Angel, and the two were inseparable. He later worked for his dad at Bill Buttram Photography as a wedding photographer. While there he played a pivotal role in integrating Photoshop and digital technologies into photography, helping to revolutionize the way images were captured, edited, and shared. He got a Bachelor of Science degree from Mercy College in Computer Science. In January 2011, he proudly accepted a position with the US Patent and Trademark Office where he served as a Primary Patent Examiner in the Computer Science and Art Unit. His passion and expertise for that work contributed significantly to the field of intellectual property rights. He was able to work remotely which allowed him to move to the place of his dreams, Key Largo. It was there that he became a certified scuba diver while enjoying the beach life and all the seafood he could eat. His scuba instructor said Todd was “doing prop drops on the Spiegel Grove,” which was about 140 feet down.
Throughout his life, Todd was well known for his appreciation of epic experiences - from the highest roller coaster drop to a KISS concert, to the best ice cream shops, and underwater adventures. He approached his challenges with a single-minded determination, courage, and optimism - qualities that defined his character until the very end. His resilience in the face of adversity served as an inspiration to all who knew him.
Todd is survived by his loving daughter, Angel, his mother, Virginia Buttram, his siblings, Mike Buttram (Betty), Patti Buttram Brooks (Mike), Joe Buttram, close friend, Kim Murray, and a wide circle of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was predeceased by his father, Bill Buttram.
A celebration of Todd’s life will be held at Found & Sons Funeral Chapel, 10719 Courthouse Rd, Fredericksburg on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm and his service will begin at 4:00 pm, when close friends and family will gather to honor his memory.
Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
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