Leonard Eugene "Gene" Buchanan

Leonard Eugene “Gene” Buchanan, 78, of Richmond VA, died peacefully on June 25th 2024, surrounded by family. He graduated from Appomattox High School in 1964, and later earned an Associates in Science Degree “Cum Laude” with a Major in Nursing from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College. “Gene” was an incredible husband, son, father, uncle, and grandfather. He was a man of many talents! He earned his pilot license in 1978 and loved to fly. In his later years, he would reminisce about flying and mention how free he felt flying in the sky. In his early years, he joined the US Navy, and sailed upon the USS Yorktown CVS-10. Gene was a ruler of the wind! He was proud of his USS Yorktown CVS-10 sailing days! He served our country during the Vietnam war performing nighttime surveillance. He later became a psychiatric nurse in 1991. He was well respected in his field and freely gave his time to many underserved communities including those with behavioral health issues and those who were incarcerated. If you were to ask anyone about him, they would tell you he was an amazing, kind, generous and loving man. Gene would do anything for his family and friends! Gene lost his long time wife of over 30 years; Audrey Marie Buchanan in 2013, at whose side he will soon be laid to rest. Gene is also preceded in death by his father Charles Rudolph Buchanan, his step mother Ann Jennings Buchanan, his mother Edna Lucille Buchanan, and his brother Stephen Buchanan. He is survived by his brothers Wayne Buchanan “Buck”(Betsy), Steve Jennings (Sherry), David Jennings (Kim), nephews Jeremy Buchanan, Ashley Buchanan, Andrew Jennings (Maria), Nathan Scott, Matthew Scott, Austin Scott, and niece Lindsay Jennings Worswick (Andrew). Gene is survived by his six beloved sons; Charles Christopher Buchanan( Laurie), James Cary Buchanan (Rose), Leonard Travis Buchanan, Alan Walker Stephens (Fiancé Darci Butler) James Arlington Stephens (Kristin Stephens), and Chad Khelfa (Linda; “goose” as Gene called her) Gene had many “daughters” he loved including his daughter Nathalie Khelfa Stephens. “Grandpa” is survived by many grandchildren including, Christina(Keith),Andrew (Chloe), Amanda(Scott),Tiffany, Brendan, Scott, Caitlin(Caleb), Sarah, Ashton, Nyssa, Brandon, Danny, Ayden, Matthew, Kimber, Teagan, Ava, Nathan, Cory and Zoe. Gene loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends at his beloved river cottage. He loved fishing and being on the water. He never passed up a good time, especially if it involved his sons and grandkids! Grandpa Gene was a father and grandpa to many, especially over the years his wife Audie, cared for many children whom he embraced as his own. He will be missed by so many and will be remembered in our hearts forever.

A visitation for Leonard will be held Sunday, June 30, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 North Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229. A funeral service will occur Monday, July 1, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 1771 North Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229. A committal service will occur Monday, July 1, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, 12609 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23238.