Jim was born August 31, 1926 in Lugert, OK to Johnnie and Jennie (Lynn) Buchanan.  He was a graduate of Lone Wolf H.S.  He worked as an auto mechanic and oil field worker for several years prior to serving in the U.S. Army as a technical sergeant from 1950-56.  Jim served in the 40th Tank Battalion during the Korean War, and was stationed in Germany. He and his brother worked in turn to support one another financially while they each attended university. Jim attended Oklahoma University in Norman and received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1966. He worked as an engineer at Tinker Air Force base for 30 years until retirement. In 1974, Jim met Leota Elaine Hurst Pickard at a dancing lesson. They married on November 2, 1974 and were married for almost 32 years. During his life, he enjoyed hunting gemstones and creating jewelry. He especially enjoyed his ham radio and was able to build and fix most anything. He was a great lover of Louis L’Amour’s western novels and read them numerous times. Though he had no children of his own, he was a unique, loving, and gentle soul and had a close relationship with his step-children, nieces and nephews. He was known to take his camera everywhere and shared his photography with many others. He was a constant volunteer at First Baptist Church of Bethany and worked as a sound engineer while his wife sang in the choir.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elaine Buchanan; sisters, Verla Wilson and Orenda Herron; nieces, Taini Tatum and Nancy Busch; and nephew, Kenneth Shores.

Survivors include his brother, Jesse Buchanan; sister-in-law, Georgia Buchanan; stepdaughter, Donna Karper; stepsons, David Picard and Danny Pickard; and nieces, Lynette Harry, Terry Hill and Debby Blalock.

Viewing will be 11am-9pm Sunday at Mercer Adams Funeral Service. Services will be 2pm Monday at Mercer Adams Chapel.

Interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery.  

Thank You For Your Service!