John E. "Buck" Buchanan

John “Buck” Elmer Buchanan passed away July 6, 2017, peacefully at Riverside Health Care with family and friends by his side. Buck was the first person to lend a hand, but was sure to give you a hard time while doing so. His sense of humor and wit will be dearly missed.

Buck was born September 2,1933, to John & Cecil Buchanan in Missoula, MT. He was raised on the family ranch on the Old Mullan Trail. Buck attended school in a one-room schoolhouse, complete with corral for the students’ horses. He then served in the United States Army in the signal corps. After serving Buck returned to Montana and worked for the state highway department.

Buck married Jean Elizabeth McMahan on September 27, 1956, in Missoula, MT. They were lucky enough to spend sixty long happy years together traveling the world. After retiring from the state, Buck worked for Washington Corporation overseeing construction projects throughout the country for more than fifty years.

After retirement Buck and Jean renovated her family homestead. From here they loved to go four wheeling in the Drummond and Garnet area. Buck loved to complete the daily puzzles in the newspaper, spend time outdoors, watch Family Feud & football, and was never one to turn down a chocolate treat.

Buck is preceded in death by both of his parents, wife Jean, and siblings Mary Bradshaw, Virginia Hanson, and Ted Williams.

Buck is survived by daughters Jesse (and Rick Danner, & grandchildren Samantha and Travis Danner), Judy (and John Bukovatz), grandchildren Jennifer (and Andy Huppert), Jack (and Shelby Bukovatz), as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. A special thanks to Riverside Health Care for their help and kindness.

A memorial graveside service will be held at New Chicago Cemetery, in Drummond, MT on Friday, July 14, 2017, at 11:00 with a luncheon to follow at the Drummond Community Center.