Terry Lynn “Buffie” Bottorff, age 75, passed away at his home in Apopka, Florida early Friday, March 29, 2019, surrounded by his family. He was born in Norfolk, Nebraska on May 11, 1943. He graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1965 and took a mathematics teaching position at Johnson Junior High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Later, he obtained his master’s degree in Mathematics from Louisiana State University. People often wondered why he was called “Buffie”. His mother gave him that name after he returned home from LSU and walked into the kitchen wearing wild hair and a beard so massive his mother wondered “who left the front door open and let the buffalo in.” He taught math and computers at Johnson McCormick Junior High School, Central High School, and Laramie County Community College for 37 years, and almost every one of his students remember him as their best teacher. He left the classroom and became the IT director for Laramie County School District #1 before moving to Chesterfield, Missouri for 4 years as the IT Director for the Rockwood School district. After retiring, he worked in computers with ETC Consulting and worked for FEMA as an IT specialist. He was active with the Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) Rodeo committee for well over forty years and his computer programming knowledge was instrumental in bringing technology to the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. He developed a database system for all aspects of the rodeo that became the envy of PRCA rodeos worldwide. He’s one of the select few to obtain both a CFD Heeds badge and the coveted CFD “Honorary Silver Badge.” He was very active with Elk’s Clubs in Cheyenne and Apopka and was a member of the Eagles, AmVets, American Legion, and other fraternal organizations. He enjoyed wearing pocket tees and bib overalls, and after retirement developed a strong aversion to long pants and shoes with laces. He was also a connoisseur of Jack Daniels whiskey. His hobbies included fishing, computers and railroads, which he supported by recreational gambling from time to time, most notably roulette, video poker, and pull-tabs. He was known for his infectious, boisterous laugh and made lasting friendships with everyone he encountered. He married the late Sally in 1994 after a seventeen-year courtship and enjoyed wonderful relationships with Sally and her four sons. He is survived by step-sons Kenneth (Staci) Wells, Kevin (Patty) Wells, Brian Wells, and Mark Wells, along with grandchildren Megan (Steve) Harkins, Laura (Alex) Stibich, Mariah (Tyler) Denson, Sage Wells, Damaris Wells, Josiah Wells, Breanna Wells, Noah Wells, and 3 great grandchildren, his brother Lonnie, niece Sheila and nephew Scott. He was preceded in death by his parents Eva and Wilson Bottorff and his wife Sally through her courageous battle with cancer.
There will be a Celebration of Life in both Apopka, Florida and Cheyenne, Wyoming, with dates to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate to your local hospice or favorite charity.