John Howard Buchanan passed away July 10, 2023, at the age of 79. He was born in Oklahoma City on September 30, 1943, to Clyde Buchanan and Ruth Johnson. The family ultimately relocated to Dallas, where John completed his secondary education and met the love of his life, Linda Abbott. He graduated as valedictorian of his class from Richardson High School in 1962 and married Linda in that same year.
John enjoyed a storied high school sports career, where he played football, baseball, basketball and ran track. He was a High School All-American football player and later parlayed that skill into two seasons with the Southern Methodist University football team, graduating with high honors in 1966.
He turned his love of mathematics into a prominent career as a life actuary attaining his Fellowship status in record time. He enjoyed a long career in successive executive leadership roles that ultimately took him to Chattanooga, TN. Upon his retirement, he decided to pursue his life-long dream of becoming an ACE Hardware dealer. He and Linda settled in Decatur, AL to open his store. He loved being the helpful hardware man!
He was a devoted Christian and family man. He enjoyed sports, spending time with his family and playing with his miniature Schnauzers, Max, Precious and Dudley.
John is survived by his wife, Linda of Plano, daughter, Kelley of San Antonio, and two grandchildren, Kimberly Young and John Young of Alabama. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rhonda LaFarge and his two brothers, Paul and Clyde.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home located at 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The recorded video will be available for viewing by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/.
The family will receive friends during a visitation from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at the same location.