David Roscoe Buttrey

David Roscoe Buttrey, Sr. was born August 13, 1921 in White Bluff, TN to William Boyd Buttrey and Eddie Lee Larkins Buttrey (“Massie”), and passed away on February 5, 2014. He attended Acorn Hill Elementary School and William James High School in White Bluff before moving to Nashville at age 17. He began working at American National Nashville Bank, which later became First American Bank, where he met his future wife, Evelyn Anne Hopkins.

One day after Pearl Harbor, Mr. Buttrey signed up for Naval Aviation Training and attended the University of Chattanooga and the University of Georgia in that connection. In May 1943, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps as a navigator. His first tour of duty overseas was in the Soloman Islands where he served as navigator for Major General Ralph Mitchell, USMC, Commander for Aviation of the Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific. His second tour was with the Fourteenth Marine Airwing, Buckner Bay, Okinawa where he served as navigator for the Commanding General. He was released from active duty December 14, 1945 with the rank of First Lieutenant and returned to his bank job the next day. He resigned his reserve commission December 1951 with the rank of Captain.

In January 1947, Mr. Buttrey became Assistant President and Cashier at Citizens State Bank in Cookeville, TN and later moved to Clarksville, TN, serving as Assistant President and Cashier of First National Bank. In April 1955, the State Bank of Jacksonville, FL opened with Mr. Buttrey, then age 34, as its first President. He left the Presidency of the State Bank of Jacksonville, Florida (now SunTrust Bank) after approximately twenty years in the banking business to become President and Treasurer of Crescent Company April 1, 1960. He remained with Crescent Company until July 1, 1971, at which time he joined Third National Bank (now SunTrust Bank) as Chairman of the Executive Committee. He became President of the Bank effective March 1, 1972 and was elected President of Third National Corporation, the holding company, on February 8, 1973. In January 1975, he became Chairman of the Board of Third National Bank and in January 1976, Vice Chairman of both Third National Bank and Third National Corporation, from which he retired on September 1, 1981.

For twenty-two years, Mr. Buttrey served as Chairman of the Board of Southeastern Steel Container Company and Self Manufacturing Company in Birmingham, Alabama and Southwestern Steel Container Company and Thompson Can Company in Dallas. Texas.

He was active in adult educational programs both as a student and as a lecturer for many years. He attended the Nashville School of Law and finished the Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University with a major in investments. He lectured at the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University for seventeen years. Also active in civic affairs, he served as President of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and President of Hillwood Country Club. For twenty-one years, he served as a Director of McKendree Village. Inc. and most of that time was Chairman of the Finance Committee. He also served for a number of years as Chairman of the Finance Committee for George Peabody College prior to its merger with Vanderbilt University.

He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Evelyn Anne Hopkins Buttrey. He is survived by his siblings: Ila Buttrey Martin; Reuben Buttrey (Dorothy); Eddie Lee Buttrey King (Lyle); Calvin Buttrey (Freddie); his six children: David Roscoe Buttrey, Jr. (Anne); Dianne Buttrey Wild (Skip); Jack Denson Buttrey (John); Dan Lytle Buttrey (Liza); Dana Buttrey Croswhite (Eric); Anne Bramlette Buttrey Hawkins (Kenny); 12 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place at Belle Meade United Methodist Church on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at one thirty in the afternoon. Visitation with family and friends will be held at the church on Saturday from four o’clock until six o’clock and on Sunday from twelve noon until time of service.

The Buttreys were members and active supporters of Belle Meade United Methodist Church for over 50 years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Belle Meade United Methodist Church, 121 Davidson Road, Nashville, TN 37205 or McKendree Manor, 4347 Lebanon Road, Hermitage, TN 37076.