Darrell Ira Buttram

Pastor Darrell Ira Buttram, Sr., 80, of Tucson, AZ went home to be with Jesus on January 15, 2025. He was born Aug 26, 1944 in Madera, CA, and was a loving spouse, supportive father, and faithful minister of the gospel.

Darrell dedicated six decades of life to preaching the gospel, mentoring young ministers, and serving his community. As a visionary leader, he used his skills to join building and renovation projects across the Southwest to ensure that worshipers and the lost had spaces to encounter God’s presence. He was an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), and he served as evangelist, State Youth Director (Idaho), State Senior Adult Director (Arizona), church planter, pastor, director and “Master Pastor” in the Ministerial Internship Program, District Overseer, and state council member. In Oregon, Darrell pastored churches in Prineville, Lakeview, and Ontario (a church he planted). In Arizona, he pastored in Coolidge, Payson, and two churches in Tucson (Ajo Way and River of Life).

It was in Arizona where Darrell rekindled his passion for fishing. If given a chance, he would put a line in the water anytime, anywhere, and usually while wearing a tie! He was always sharing his love for Jesus Christ and his love for fishing, often blending the two to build friendships and develop relationships with family, friends, church members, other pastors, neighbors, insurance agents, and strangers in the Sunday lunch line. Even with a boat in the water and a pole in his hand, he was foremost a fisher of men.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice Buttram, sisters Edith Bromagem and Lorraine McReynolds, son Darrell I. Buttram Jr. (Monica) grandchildren Joshua, Ian, & Melody of Huntington, West Virginia, son William Buttram (Leeann) of Memphis, Tennessee, daughter Darlena Buttram of Tallahassee, Florida, and a special grandson of the heart Kyle Witmer (Lexy & Elias) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The family will host a celebration of life on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 1:00PM at Igelsia de Dios, 100 W. Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713. 

 In honor of Pastor Buttram's legacy of raising up ministers of the gospel, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to:

Arizona Church of God

Memo: D I Buttram Ministerial Memorial Fund

3902 W Union Hills, Glendale, AZ 85308

Or

River of Life Church of God

(Online) Darrell I Buttram Memorial Fund https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=8a47b2f1-2720-4f29-9426-7f4d2a436368

(Check) 201 W. Elvira Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756