John Charles Buchanan

John Charles Buchanan died on Thursday, May 21, 2009 after waging a valiant fifteen year battle with cancer. He was born in San Antonio on April 5, 1936 to Charles and Marietta Hedges Buchanan, who predeceased him.

After a distinguished scholastic career at Texas Military Institute and the United States Military Academy, Buchanan was a career officer in the United States Army. He served two tours of duty in Viet-Nam with distinction, earned a Master's at Tufts' Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy and taught at the USMA.

After retiring as a Lt. Colonel, Buchanan returned to San Antonio with his family. A staunch friend of Bill W.'s for twenty-four years, he particularly enjoyed his fishing and hunting trips. Well-read with a prodigious intelligence, he relished vigorous debates with anyone who tackled him, demonstrating the skill that earned his West Point team first place in their debate contests.

He is survived by his loving children, Ann Buchanan and her husband, Rick Moore, Charles Buchanan, and Karen Buchanan Dealy; grandchildren, Rachel and Jonathan Dealy; his beyond-faithful former wife, Gale Wentworth Buchanan; brother Bob Buchanan and wife, Sally; nephews, Garland Buchanan and his wife, Flannery and Larkin Buchanan; and numerous relatives.

The family acknowledges and appreciates the attentive and kind service provided by Vitas Hospice.