Patrick Butters, writer, former Times editor, dies

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Patrick T. Butters, a freelance writer and former editor at The Washington Times, died May 12 at his home in Arlington. He was 45.

Mr. Butters also worked for The Washington Post, Scripps Howard News Service and the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and wrote for publications including the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Washington City View magazine.

“He was just an all-around journalism kind of guy,” said his brother, Mike Butters.

Born in 1961 in Honolulu, he graduated from West Springfield High School in 1979. In 1983, Mr. Butters earned a bachelor’s of science degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

He began his career in 1983 as a sports and features writer for the Natchez (Miss.) Democrat. In 1985, Mr. Butters joined the Times-Picayune as a community news editor.

He joined The Times in 1988 and worked there for more than 12 years on the copy desk and in the Commentary and Features sections.

“Pat was a natural for the work he did at the Times,” said Sean Piccoli, a former reporter for The Times who now is a pop music writer for the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“He was genuine, sensitive, kind, caring, always willing to help,” said former Features writer Denise Barnes, a public information officer for the D.C. Department of Human Services.

His former colleagues at The Times called him kind and creative and noted his sense of humor.

“His writing and editorial direction were always on the money, and his good cheer was an asset,” National writer Jennifer Harper said.

Richard Slusser, editor of the Food and Travel sections, said, “A few amusing words from Patrick could chase a cloud from hovering over a story.”

Mr. Butters left The Times in January 2001, and he became a nighttime editor for America Online in September 2002.

From February 2003 to January 2005, he worked at Scripps Howard.

“Patrick was a man of many talents,” Scripps Howard managing editor Karen Timmons said. “He will be dearly missed by the many whose lives he touched.”

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