Coach Buttles was born on April 27, 1961 in San Diego to Ray and Evelyn Buttles. He graduated from Kearny High School where he lettered in three sports. He passed up a scholarship to California State University, Fullerton in favor of a shot at the majors and was drafted in the eighth round by the New York Mets and sent to the minor leagues as pitcher. He spent three seasons in the Northwest, Carolina and South Atlantic leagues before an arm injury ended his baseball career..
Undaunted, he returned to San Diego and enrolled at Mesa College and later San Diego State University where he graduated cum laude in 1988 with a degree in kinesiology and physical education, obtaining his teaching credential at the same time. He then earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling from CSU San Bernardino.
He met his wife, Jill, when they were both employed at Laguna Beach High School, he as the varsity baseball coach, she in the Registrar’s office where she was the self-described "attendance lady." That was in 1990. A year later Coach Buttles took the coaching job at College of the Desert and the two got married and moved to the desert.
Coach Buttles was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in September 2009. A non-smoker, he was into physical fitness and always enjoyed good health. He had no symptoms until he discovered what appeared to be an enlarged nymph node and went for a checkup. The couple was married for 19 years and had two children: Samuel Raymond Buttles, 15, and Haley Michelle Buttles, 12. In addition to his children, spouse and parents, he also leaves a sister, Linda Buttles, a large extended family at College of the Desert, and friends too numerous to mention.
Coach Buttles met the news about his diagnosis head on and opted for the most aggressive treatment possible for what turned out to be an unusual strain of cancer. Despite the best medical treatment possible, it was to be a losing battle. "He was fighting it to the end," said Jill. "Then, the last week, he told me, I’m okay, I’m at peace with it."
Asked to sum up his life in a few words, Jill said, "I know that honesty would be there. He was a competitor with focused goals and a major gamer. He was very proud of his kids."
David Buttles died at home, holding hands with his loving family. The outpouring of sympathy and respect came from all over southern California where David grew up and spent his time surfing, fly fishing, and engaging in competitive sports. He was a role model to his children, his student athletes, and all who came into contact with him in a lifetime that was full of promise and much too short.
On behalf of the 3C4A membership David Buttles Coach and Counselor to the College of the Desert student athletes will be missed.
