The son of predeceased, Donald and Gloria Buchanan, he grew up in Birmingham, Michigan. He graduated from Andover High School, and later from Western Michigan University with a B.A. in Business Administration. At Western, he was member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity where he met many life-long friends. After college, he worked in sales management at Hudson’s department store in Pontiac, Michigan where he discovered his passion for business. Soon after, with the encouragement of his father, he fulfilled his lifelong ambition to be his own boss by starting his own business - Midwest Pavement Contracting. Under his leadership, the company has grown successfully for 29 years.
From a young age, George was an entrepreneur. George loved being his own boss and told his family that he could not see himself doing anything else. In 2008, he was proudly joined in the business by his son Brandon, who will continue in the business in his honor.
On September 9th, 1990, he married the love of his life, Diane Churchill. They have chosen to spend very few days apart since their first date more than 30 years ago. His priority in life was always her happiness and his love for her was boundless. Together they raised two beautiful children, Brandon (26) and Brittany (25). Brandon enjoyed the honor of working very closely with his Father on a day to day basis, learning from the best. Brittany and her Father together shared a very special bond. This included a cherished phone call every morning where George was always able to provide the best guidance no matter the topic. George’s own passions lived on through his children, with Brandon playing golf, and Brittany swimming and playing tennis, and both sharing his favorite activity, sailing at the family cottage in Amherstburg, Ontario.
In their pursuit of growing old together in happiness, George and Diane purchased a second home in Naples, Florida, which Diane referred to as their “happy place.” There they enjoyed time visiting friends and family, playing golf, deep sea fishing, going out for dinner, and relaxing on their lanai with their two beloved dogs, Tiffany “Little Bit” and Sophie. Each year, they spent more and more time there as the separation between their first and second homes blurred.
George and Diane had a very active social life as members of Edgewood Country Club, where they met many of their most beloved friends. At Edgewood, George spent eight years on the board of management where his leadership skills and business acumen led to being elected club president. He took on the role with great honor.
George was a man of deep faith, a member of Orchard Lake Community Presbyterian Church and a proud supporter of Camp Westminster in Roscommon, Michigan. The camp was the site of many of George’s happiest memories as a youngster, and the camp remained dear to his heart his entire life.
He cherished his family and many friends. He was loved by all and will be deeply and profoundly missed.
George is survived by wife Diane, his children, Brandon and Brittany, his brothers, Gary (Judy) and Devin-James (Partner Deric) and his sister, Janet. He also had a special relationship with Mary Lou and Bill Miller.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 21, 2019 at Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian, 5171 Commerce Road in Orchard Lake. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 3-7 pm at the Union Lake Chapel of the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Road in White Lake and Friday at church from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers a tax deductible donation can be sent to Camp Westminster.
Camp Westminster
17567 Hubbell Street
Detroit, MI 48235
or make an online donation via: https://campwestminster.com/
DONATIONS
Camp Westminister on Higgins Lake116 Westminister Drive, Roscommon, Michigan 48653
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