Thomas Philip Buchanan

BORN: May 24, 1952 Milwaukee, Wisconsin

DIED: March 5, 2016 Loveland, Colorado

Parents’ names: William Buchanan and Marion Czerwinski

Baptized Roman Catholic, went to Catholic grade school

Graduated South Lake High School 1970

Joined the Marines in 1970, honorably discharged in 1973

From St. Claire Shores, Michigan, moved to Longmont, Colorado in 1981 and to Loveland in 1985. Loveland resident for 31 years

Worked for IBM/Ricoh for 35 years

Married Dorié Ann Lehan Buchanan on October 8, 1988 at Namaqua Park in Loveland, Colorado

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Marine Corps League Detachment 1250, Member of Loveland 912 Group, Tyranny Response Team, Political Activist, Popcorn Kernel, Toys for Tots, North Lake Park fireworks cheerleader with a bullhorn, worn flag drop off bins for proper retirement

HOBBIES: Photography (especially capturing sunrises and sunsets), writing, several modes of art (pencil drawing, wood carving, bronze relief, oil painting, Computer graphics, hunting, shooting, rabble-rousing

FAVORITE QUOTES: “Have a nice day unless you made other plans”,

SURVIVORS:

Spouse: Dorié Ann Lehan Buchanan Loveland, Colorado

Sons: Andy Brinsfield North Beach, Maryland

Thomas Buchanan, Jr. (Cindy) North Platte, Nebraska

Bryan Brinsfield North Beach, Maryland

Steve Buchanan (Peach) Puyallup, Washington

Neil Buchanan Loveland, Colorado

Sam Buchanan Loveland, Colorado

Daughters: Angela Varra (Dean) Windsor, Colorado

Richelle Chappell (Seth) Wray, Colorado

Dorié Buchanan Loveland, Colorado

Mary Jo Buchanan Loveland, Colorado

Sisters: Nancy Macudzinski Aurora, Colorado

Cathy Blake Aurora, Colorado

Grandchildren: Josslyn, Terrence, Samantha, Duane, Julius, Stephanie, Devin, Jayde, Gavin, Kylene, Kayden, Addyson, Joshua, Andromeda

Preceded In Death By: Mother: Marion Buchanan, Father: William Buchanan

THOMAS PHILIP BUCHANAN, SR died suddenly on Saturday, March 5th, 2016 at McKee Medical Center in Loveland Colorado after suffering acute cardiac arrest at his home in the early morning hours.

Tom loved capturing pictures of sunrises and sunsets along with other natural scenery. He also enjoyed his GoPro and was ready to tryout his new drone.

Tom was a leader in his community, whether it be heading up Toys for Tots or riling up a crowd to rally against some political issue. He ran for office and barely lost both races. He was the Chairman for the Loveland 912 Group for several years; he had a way of keeping people motivated. Tom did everything with a passion.

Tom was a patriot and a man of his word; he had many friends all over Colorado due to his involvement with the Marine Corps League and in politics. He headed up many projects including 2 flag bins in Loveland for collecting flags for proper disposal. He coordinated BBQs at Jensen Arms and could put on a magnificent Marine Corps Ball; if there was a project to be done, Tom was right in there making it happen. Tom was such a pillar in his community and in his involvements; he was a good and humble man who was always willing to help people and wasn’t afraid to jump in and get his hands dirty, he was always at the ready.

When Tom nearly lost his life back in 1983, when he lost his leg, he watched them working on him in the emergency room. He told me he got a brief glimpse of Heaven in those seconds prior to them bringing him back to life. He later told me after that experience that he wasn’t afraid to die. It was quoted from a friend that when asked of Tom how he keeps on going, that Tom said he wanted his gravestone to say, “Used Up”. Tom was a good and faithful servant and God was ready to take him home because it looks like his mission of being ‘used up’ has been accomplished! We know he’s in a beautiful place now and has earned his wings and is enjoying his newfound freedom and having 10 toes again! He leaves a huge void here on earth and we will all miss him profoundly, until we see him again someday!

SERVICE INFORMATION:

VISITATION: 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2016 at Allnutt; 2100 N. Lincoln Ave, Loveland, CO

SERVICE: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Message of Life Ministries; 605 18th St SW, Loveland, CO

BURIAL: Fort Logan National Cemetary at a later date (early June, 2016)

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: https://www.gofundme.com/wtssewqk