Raymond L. Buchanan Jr.

Raymond Luther Buchanan Jr., entered eternal rest at Palm Harbor, Florida, on July 8, 2024, the day after his 94th birthday. He was born in Martinsville, Indiana, on July 7, 1930, the middle child of his parents, Raymond Luther Buchanan Sr and Ruth Elmore Buchanan. His grandchildren thought he was a pioneer after listening to his stories of the one room schoolhouse that he attended during grade school and living on a farm near Hall where he helped till the fields with a horsedrawn plow. He admitted that as a teen, when his parents operated the Hall U.S. Post Office and Country Store, his mother would sometimes have to get him away from the pool hall to have him go start dinner for the family. He remained a pretty good cook all his life and even mastered an air fryer while in his 90s. 

Raymond served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was stationed in Japan near Mount Fujiyama, which was a tremendous adventure where he made lifelong friends with his fellow soldiers. His hiking pole with the Rising Sun flag denoting the scaling of Mt Fujiyama still rests in the corner of his den, a memento of that climb. He met the love of his life, Rosalind Joan Buchanan, while working at Sears Roebuck in Indianapolis after returning to civilian life. They made their home on a farm near Clayton, where he farmed, delivered mail, and drove a school bus. Raymond was a member of the Clayton Presbyterian Church, a member of the Clayton Masonic Lodge, and served as a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts Troop 305. 

He began working at GM’s Detroit Diesel Allisons in Indianapolis in 1958 and after obtaining a degree from the University of Indianapolis, continued his academic career by attending the Indiana University School of Law at night, where he earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence law degree in 1972. He then became an attorney for General Motors until he retired on September 1, 1990, after 30+ years of service. After retirement, Ray sold the farm at Clayton and purchased a condominium at Tarkington Towers in Indianapolis and became a snowbird when he and Joan bought a winter home at the Village of Lake Tarpon in Florida. Many of their Hoosier friends also lived in the Village during the winter and Raymond enjoyed socializing with their many friends, sailing with their pontoon boat, being a member of the shuffleboard league, attending the weekly bingo game at the Clubhouse, and being active in the Homeowners Association. 

Raymond passed away peacefully with his son, Morris, and daughter in law, Ronda, caring for him. He will be transported back home again in Indiana for a direct burial at Maple Hill Cemetery at Plainfield by Hampton, Gentry Funeral Home. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his sister Rosalie Neel. He is survived by his brother Russell A Buchanan, Danville, his son Morris (Ronda) Buchanan, Palm Harbor FL, three grandchildren James, Lyons CO, Susan and Katherine, both of Seattle, WA.