Carl Buchanan

As a child and teenager, he was always ready for an adventure and would be disappointed if he could not go. He was fond of all animals, especially his dogs Casper and Tilly, as well as his grand dogs, often slipping them treats and cheese from the fridge. He loved to decorate for any holiday but most of all lighting the house up for Christmas. He loved taking walks in nature and spending weekends leatherworking and tinkering in the garage. He had a proclivity to learn any mechanical or electrical skill and would be the first to volunteer to help anyone solve a problem. There was no house project, car project, or academic problem too hard to solve. He was a beacon for overcoming adversity, doing the hard things, and an unwavering role model – husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.

Carl Buchanan proudly served this country for 42 years. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant, with 23 years, 8 months, and 5 days of service (1981-1992, 1993 - 2006). He was a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, he was also a First Sergeant, and retired as Chief Enlisted Force Development. Carl achieved both undergraduate and graduate degrees and taught multiple leadership seminars to General Officers and Flag Officers. Carl completed multiple overseas assignments from RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath, Guam, with deployments to the USSR, Albania & Kosovo. Beyond active-duty, Carl’s federal civil service spanned 18 years, 9 months, 6 days (2006 - 2025) – where he was proud to be an advocate for Airmen, Guardians, and families across the globe. He was recognized as a leader, mentor, scholar, and servicemember, demonstrating unwavering commitment to his country. Throughout more than forty years of service, he was entrusted with both the defense of our nation and the care of others, exemplifying integrity and distinction with all he did. His dedication to duty and country was evident throughout his life.

The most important thing to him was family. Carl is survived by his wife of 39 years Jayne Buchanan, and his children, Dr. Jonathan Buchanan (Air Force Veteran) (Lisa), Courtney Buchanan, Gareth Davis (Air Force Veteran) (Holly), and Jamie Davis (Air Force Veteran) (Shannon); his brothers, Bill Buchanan (Navy Veteran) (Beth), Jerry Buchanan (Navy Veteran), Grady Buchanan (Navy Veteran) (Lori, Navy Veteran), and Tim Buchanan (Army Veteran); grandchildren, Chesney McClellan, Ava Davis, Selah Davis, Allison Singer, and Marshall Singer.

A visitation for Carl will be held Monday, September 15, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, 186 Shelton Shop Rd, Stafford, Virginia 22554, followed by a celebration of life at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cancer Research Institute, gift designation Lung Cancer, in Carl's memory. See link at bottom of page.

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Email Subject: Carl Buchanan Memorial

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Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”