Gordon Stephen Buttorff

Gordon Stephen Buttorff, aged 58, went to be with the Lord on March 31, 2023. He was a long-time resident of the Walker, Mo., area. He was often referred to as the “Big-Tall-White-Guy." His parents predeceased him and were Gordon Stephen Buttorff Jr. and Wanda June (Pettigrew) Buttorff. Stephen was born in Columbus, Ind., on April 21, 1964. He attended high school at Bob Jones Academy and San Marcos Military Academy. Stephen was an incredible athlete and extremely competitive. He once played a basketball game where he was double teamed and still earned 37 points.

Stephen was not short on height or confidence. He was always singing or making others laugh. When he entered the room, everyone knew he was present. He used to sing “Yabba Dabba Dee, I Love Me, You Know I Am the Greatest." His humor and storytelling abilities were renowned.

Stephen had a heart for business and the ability to “sell ice to an Eskimo," even though he rejected the idea of being called a salesman. He had various successful business ventures, but he was so proud of working with his son Cameron in real estate. He was an entrepreneur at heart. He loved and lived life to the fullest and never met a stranger. He often encouraged his son with the saying, “If You’re Ripe You Rot, If You’re Green You Grow.”

Stephen was also proud of his daughter Camille and loved her very much. He appreciated that “she got his humor." Her laugh would always bring a smile to his face. He never wasted an opportunity to express how proud he was of her. He often remarked, “I’ll always be with you in your head and in your heart.”

God brought Stephen and Christian Johnson together after the passing of his sister, Katrina Johnson. It was his idea to start a YouTube Christian Channel in 2016. They collaborated and seven years later they had over 700 videos. His legacy will continue with the last video airing on March 19, 2023. The YouTube channel was Christianity201Moonlight.

He always made time for the nieces and nephews. Whenever they rode in the car with him he would say “Regulators – Lets Ride!” He once had an argument with his brother Nathan about who would jump in and save his nephew Elijah in the lake. They both were fully dressed. It was Stephen who took the plunge. He always loved the water and felt at home in a boat. His son Cameron was his partner in crime with all his water adventures. They went hang-gliding, parasailing, water skiing, wake surfing and even indoor sky diving. He even got his daughter Camille to join in some adventures. Fear was not in his vocabulary. He even became a certified scuba diver with his sister Heather.

Being civically minded, Stephen worked with the city of Harwood and got grants to pave the main road into that town. He also filed and received the early warning system that was installed in Harwood as well. He left a stamp of himself in all that he did.

Stephen’s first daughter was Toni Danielle. He later married Tanya Elizabeth Huckabee in 1993 and had two more children: Cameron Shay and Camille Ann. They later divorced and Stephen remained single.

He loved animals, and especially his Alaskan Malamute Hadassah. He always had a variety of interests and was loud and proud. Another favorite jingle was “I’m Kickin’, I’m Trickin’ I’m laying them down. I’m the baddest dude in this whole dang town. I am the one they’ve been telling you about, I am the one, and I have no doubt. I’m the best you’ve ever seen, because I’m the best that’s ever been.”

Stephen was known for his positive outlook on life. The glass was never half empty, but half full. He admired Zig Zigglar and strove to emulate an upbeat lifestyle. His most famous saying was “I’m an Upwardly Mobile, Super Over Achiever with the Drive, Direction and Pooooower!” He loved his family well and even spoke of his brother-in-law Christian Johnson as being “his brother from another mother.” The epitome of Stephen’s life can be summed up in his own words: I am powerful, and I am loved. I am powerful and I am loving. I am powerful and I LOVE IT!

Gordon Stephen Buttorff was predeceased by his sister, Katrina Lee (Buttorff) Johnson. The survivors include his children, Toni Danielle Williamson, Cameron Shay Buttorff and Camille Ann Buttorff. His surviving brothers are Christopher Granger Buttorff, Nathaniel David Buttorff and Adam Stuart Buttorff. His surviving sisters include Heather Lynn (Buttorff) Brown and Christanne Colleen (Buttorff) Gayman. He is also survived by his Uncle Grayson Lynn Pettigrew.

In addition to the already mentioned relatives, he is survived by his best friend and brother-in-law Christian Stephan Johnson. They became brothers in arms and were inseparable for years. His adopted brothers are Christian Von Pichl, Max Von Pichl and Dominik Von Pichl. His adopted sisters include Camilla Von Pichl and Juliane Tschacher.

Stephen made a lasting impression on everyone he knew. He was an avid athlete, motivated entrepreneur, amazing dad, super-cool uncle, fantastic storyteller and a great friend. He will be severely missed by us all.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 6, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada, Mo., with Pastor Terry Mosher officiating. Interment will follow in Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City, Mo. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Ferry Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to the Family in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.