Todd Curtis Butler

Fort Worth, Texas following a long illness. The youngest son of Dennis and Alberta “Dot”

Crofton Butler, Todd was an active, curious little boy who always wanted to know what made

things work. His combined curiosity and great musical gifts later developed into enormously

fulfilling work as a musician, sound technician and music minister.

Growing up in Tampa, Todd played on the Sulphur Springs Little League All-Stars

Team, enjoyed school and excelled in the arts. When he was six, Todd developed

Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. This became the fight that he would battle for his entire life,

always striving to rise above any physical challenge he faced to pursue his curiosity

about the world around him.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science (Fine Arts) at Carson-Newman University,

Jefferson City TN, Todd completed his Master of Education at Carson-Newman

University and later began post-graduate study at Southwestern Baptist Theological

Seminary, Fort Worth TX.

A talented musician and vocalist, Todd’s beautiful voice was a natural gift. A smooth,

clear, precise and velvety tenor, he sang with full emotional depth. He was able to

elevate the singing of simple art songs in a way that placed him in competitions

above peers who had mastered enormous operatic arias. Audiences were so moved

at the end of his performances that they sat in stunned silence. Todd was as

comfortable singing Southern Gospel quartet music as he was embodying the

spiritual awareness and comfort in the richness of a piece such as “Sweet Beulah

Land.” As a performing vocalist, Todd was a finalist for three concurrent years in

college for National Association Teachers of Singing (NATS) Tennessee/Kentucky

Regional Competitions.

The unique combination of Todd’s natural curiosity, his troubleshooting skills, and his

giftedness as a musician equipped Todd to become a highly sought after sound technician

and trainer for other young technicians. He loved mentoring others in sound and lighting

design and found great personal fulfillment in completing a difficult performance or

worship service flawlessly. Todd spent two years traveling as a sound technician with

Continental Singers and Brass on tours to Europe and Israel.

Todd was a compassionate and empathetic listener. He had a way of listening deeply

and employed practical realism bathed in patient empathy when talking with those

in need. This ability only strengthened during his years of ministry in Maryland.

Sensing that he had found his purpose and calling, Todd and his family moved to

Texas to pursue a degree in family counseling. But it was during those years that his

health was greatly impacted by diabetes, and he was unable to complete his studies.

During the last ten years of his life, diabetes caused great loss for Todd in all areas of

his personal life. Through this struggle, his greatest hope always was to see his son

and daughter, Andrew and Abigail in a place where they could each pursue their

dreams and aspirations, and find joy and purpose in their lives. Todd deeply loved

and had great pride in his children, from Andrew’s beautiful musicianship to Abigail’s

unique ability to love and help others.

His last words to his brother, Dean centered around his homegoing, and how eager

he was to rest from his battle with diabetes. Todd longed to stand in the presence of

Jesus, surrounded by his beloved mother and dear grandparents. He was ready to go

Home, and his family finds great comfort in knowing that he has found rest and has

been restored in body, mind and spirit.

Todd Curtis Butler is preceded in death by his mother, Alberta “Dot” Crofton Butler.

He is survived by his father, Dennis Butler of Tampa; his son, Andrew Butler, age 17,

and daughter, Abigail Butler, age 14, and their mother, Wendi Bernau all of

Southlake, TX; his brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Wendi Butler of Camarillo, CA;

his uncle and aunt, Curtis and Ann Crofton of Tyler, TX; his nephew, Benjamin Butler,

age 13 of Camarillo, CA; and cousins throughout Florida, Georgia and Texas.

An outdoor graveside service and memorial for family and friends will be held on

Friday, July 24, 2020 at 3:00 PM at Garden of Memories, 4207 E Lake Drive, Tampa. In

lieu of flowers, the family has created an online memorial for Todd at

https://everloved.com/life-of/todd-butler/