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In memory: Donald Ray Butts, MD

Dr. Butts was a former member of the TMLT Board of Trustees

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In memory: Donald Ray Butts, MD

Dr. Butts was a former member of the TMLT Board of Trustees

In Memory: Donald Ray Butts, MD
1935-2026


 
We are sad to announce the death of Donald Ray Butts, MD, a former member of TMLT's Board of Trustees. He died on August 5, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
 
Don was born on August 8, 1935, in northeast Texas. He attended North Texas State College and graduated in 1958. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1962 and completed an internship at Hermann Hospital in Houston.
 
After serving as a physician the United States Navy, he returned to Houston and completed his general surgery residency at Hermann Hospital. He completed his colorectal training in 1970 and entered private practice. During his almost 50-year career, Dr. Butts helped introduce and improve techniques for colonoscopy, colorectal cancer treatment, bowel reconstruction, and outpatient anorectal surgery.
 
Dr. Butts also served as president of the Houston Academy of Medicine and president of the Harris County Medical Society. He was an advocate for physicians and patients during the campaign for Texas medical liability reform, and served three terms on the TMLT Board of Trustees.
 
Dr. Butts’ obituary is available here. 

By
August 18, 2026

Disclaimer

In Memory: Donald Ray Butts, MD
1935-2026


 
We are sad to announce the death of Donald Ray Butts, MD, a former member of TMLT's Board of Trustees. He died on August 5, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
 
Don was born on August 8, 1935, in northeast Texas. He attended North Texas State College and graduated in 1958. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1962 and completed an internship at Hermann Hospital in Houston.
 
After serving as a physician the United States Navy, he returned to Houston and completed his general surgery residency at Hermann Hospital. He completed his colorectal training in 1970 and entered private practice. During his almost 50-year career, Dr. Butts helped introduce and improve techniques for colonoscopy, colorectal cancer treatment, bowel reconstruction, and outpatient anorectal surgery.
 
Dr. Butts also served as president of the Houston Academy of Medicine and president of the Harris County Medical Society. He was an advocate for physicians and patients during the campaign for Texas medical liability reform, and served three terms on the TMLT Board of Trustees.
 
Dr. Butts’ obituary is available here. 

By
August 18, 2026

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