Preston L. Buttram

Preston Lee Buttram was born in Oklahoma City on February 24, 1954, to Dorsey and Phyllis Buttram. He left us to join his heavenly father on January 22, 2014, while on a trip to New Orleans with dear friends to celebrate his upcoming sixtieth year of life.

After graduating from Heritage Hall in 1972, Preston attended the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He was a Certified Professional Landman and President of Buttram Energies, Inc., which was founded in 1917 by his grandfather, Frank Buttram. Preston was actively involved in a number of organizations in the oil and gas industry, including the American Association of Professional Landmen, Oklahoma City Association of Professional Landmen, Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, Independent Petroleum Association of America, and Oklahoma Marginal Well Commission. He served on the Board of Directors of the Western Oklahoma Royalty Owners Association and was a founding member of the American Royalty Council, a former President of the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO), a past member of the Executive Board of the NARO Legislative Council and a recipient of NARO’s Outstanding Leadership Award. Preston was also active in community organizations and charitable causes, including as a past President of the Bachelors Club of Oklahoma City, an inductee into the Gladys Smith Society of the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, and a member of Life Church.

Preston had a deep passion for God, family, dogs, and the classics (whether cars, boats, movies, or music). He often found company in these passions while spending time in Grand Lake, Colorado, and Lake Texoma, where he enjoyed boating, skiing, and simply relaxing on the deck of a cabin while taking in the beauty of his surroundings.

Those who knew Preston best loved and admired him because of his generosity, integrity, and warm and genuine spirit. Whether throwing a watch party for a football game, passing an evening with a few good friends watching W.C. Fields, or having a quiet dinner with a loved one, Preston was a gracious host who made sure everyone felt welcome and had fun. He was never happier than when spending time with friends and family who loved him. While he enjoyed his own successes, he took the greatest pride in the achievements of those he loved. And, true to his generous nature, he frequently contributed to those achievements, and to the well-being of the community around him, without asking for any kind of recognition or reward in return.

Preston is survived by brother Dorsey Buttram Jr. (Randy) and his wife Kathy; niece Kimberly Schloemer, her husband Erich and their two sons Matthew and Ryan of Heath, TX; niece Kristen Beery, her husband Matthew and their two sons Benjamin and Samuel of Plano, TX; and longtime companion Linda Adams, her two children George Adams of Portland, OR, and Keely Adams of Oklahoma City, and Keely’s son Dean, who dearly loves his “Uncle Perry.”

The friends and family Preston has left here on earth will miss his kindness and sense of humor, but we take comfort in knowing that he has joined Our Father, and perhaps even now he is watching over us as he takes an old Chris-Craft out for a sunset lake cruise in heaven.

Visitation will be held Thursday February 6th from Noon to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2014 at Hahn-Cook/Street and Draper, 6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, 3800 N. May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.