C. A. 'Buck' Buchanan [42820]C. A. "Buck" Buchanan (aka Dad, Grandpa, and Pawpaws) went to be with his heavenly Father and loving wife, Mary, on Thursday, October 29, 2009. He was one of four children, born July 15, 1914, to Claude and Elizabeth Mae (Marler) Buchanan on the family farm in Washita County, OK. The family later relocated to Hobart, OK, where he graduated high school. He attended Harding Christian University when it was located in Morrillton, AR. While in Morrillton he met Mary Lee Scroggin. They were married August 13, 1936. Returning to Hobart, OK, Buck began his business career as manager of T.G.&Y., until he was drafted into the Navy in January, 1944. He was assigned to travel on the USS Noordam under the command of Admiral Nimatz in route to his duty station at Alea Naval Base in Honolulu, HI. After 6 weeks of boot camp upon arrival in Hawaii, he entered Com. Ser. Pac. (Command Service in the Pacific), where he was a photographer put in charge of "V" mail, putting all incoming and outgoing mail on microfilm then reprinting every piece of mail, even his personal mail, before delivery to the addressees. He received an honorable discharge on November 11, 1945. He returned to his family in Arkansas, then relocated them back to Hobart, OK and resumed employment with T.G.&Y. The family lived in Oklahoma City and Memphis, TN while still serving as a store manager. Buck eventually was promoted to Vice-President of Leasing at the T.G.&Y. Corporate office, retiring in 1979. After retirement, Buck continued his business career when he and his wife founded MACABCO, Inc. Through MACABCO Buck participated in part ownership of shopping center re-development at Perry Plaza in Perry OK, residential and townhouse development of the Brentwood Addition of Edmond, OK, and Brentwood Office Park in Edmond, OK. Buck was also instrumental in partnering and donating land for Edmond's original YMCA on Rankin in Edmond, OK. Buck also used his knowledge and experience from his business career while serving as a member and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Christian Investment Corporation (OCIC), a vital force for the growth and development of Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts in Oklahoma City. As a director of OCIC, Buck was instrumental in the University's business development process, including construction of buildings on campus, residential areas, shopping centers (Eagle Crest Addition and Shopping Center); and Tealridge Retirement Center in Oklahoma City adjacent to Oklahoma Christian (referred to as "OC" within the family). As a friend, donor, and mentor to OC and numerous OC presidents, faculty and staff members, Buck partnered with former university president, Dr. James O. Baird, to develop a school in South Korea. Upon obtaining the blessing and approval of the South Korean government, OC instructors were sent to the school to teach English. On March 29, 1996, The University honored Buck and Mary Buchanan for their longtime involvement and support. In December, 2004, Buck received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from OC. In addition, Buck holds the distinction of being the oldest student to ever enroll for classes at OC for the fall semester of 2007. With the assistance of one of his sons as driver to and from the campus, Buck was warmly greeted by faculty, staff and fellow students as he drove his electric wheelchair from class to class. Buck was an ardent fan of the OC Eagles Basketball Program; and as an Eagles Booster Club member, maintained 2-4 season tickets through the 2007 season. Mr. Buchanan served as an elder at 31st and Penn Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, White Station Church of Christ in Memphis, TN, and was one of a small group who founded College Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, now known as Memorial Road Church of Christ, where he was a Charter Member and one of the first three original elders. Buck's philosophy regarding church responsibilities was the practice of unity and focus on next-door to worldwide missions. Prior to his moving into Gran Gran's Nursing Home in Yukon, OK, he was advising and encouraging the "planting" of the Oakdale Church of Christ in OKC. He resigned as an elder at Memorial Road in 2005 after his wife passed in December, 2004. Buck was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Lee Scroggin Buchanan [42819]; one sister, Gladys Merle Buchanan; one brother, J. B. Buchanan; and one granddaughter, April Anjeanette Buchanan. He is survived by a brother, Glen Buchanan of Benton, AR; a sister, Mae Laverne Back, of McLean, TX, sister in-law, Helen Allison and husband J.H. of Morrilton, AR; sons: Ancel Lee Buchanan and wife, Judy, of Smyrna, GA; Kenneth R. Buchanan and wife, Peggy of Oklahoma City; Albert Brent Buchanan and wife, Helga of DeLand, FL; James Baxter "Jim" Buchanan and wife, Marilyn, of Edmond, OK; and Robert Edwin "Eddie" Buchanan and wife, Kathy, of Broken Arrow, OK; 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of business, church and university friends. The family requests memorials be made to In Search of the Lord's Way, P. O. Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083; Memorial Road Church of Christ Missions Program; or to Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts Bible Department. Visitation is Sunday, 1:30-8:30 p.m., and Monday, 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., at the funeral home that bears his name, Buchanan Funeral Service. Services to celebrate his life will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, at Memorial Road Church of Christ, 2221 E. Memorial Road, Oklahoma City, OK, with burial at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Published in The Oklahoman on November 1, 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment