Obituary of Silas Richard Buchanan

Silas Richard "Buck" Buchanan Died June 3, 2010 at age 95 in Ocala, FL, Buck was born May 28, 1915 in Atlanta, GA. After working at the family's Roseland Nursery, he entered the grocery business at age 15 and went on to be manager of his first store for Colonial Stores, Inc. at age 20. Married August 5, 1940 to his beloved Lucia for 69 years, she preceded him in death on September 6, 2009. With war looming in 1941, he enrolled in night school in a government sponsored program for engine mechanics with Delta Airlines. In May, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he received further mechanical training of military aircraft. Deployed via troop ship from New York to Oran, Africa, he saw two and a half years of war, becoming a Master Sergeant in charge of a unit. During his tour of duty, he saw action in N Africa, Italy, France and Austria, his unit charged with recovering or destroying downed aircraft, often behind enemy lines. He told many interesting tales of this time, including witnessing the eruption of Mt Vesuvius and the adoption of a stray dog who could sniff out land mines. After being discharged in November, 1945, he resumed his career with Colonial Stores in merchandising and purchasing. He was transferred to Jacksonville, FL in 1958 and retired from Colonial in 1974. At that time he moved to Ocala to work for Certified Grocers, then later went on to work part time with Rogers American Food Brokerage, finally retiring at the young age of 85. Buck had a passion for the outdoors and enjoyed quail hunting and training his bird dogs. An avid fisherman as well as gardener, he possessed an unparalleled green thumb. So gentle and loving of nature that wild birds would come when they saw him on the patio, to be rewarded with peanuts. When not outdoors, he could be found in his workshop, hammering away at some new invention. He and Lucia also traveled extensively, taking numerous trips and cruises and visiting their son and his family in Alaska, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong and Seattle. He is survived by his devoted son, Marvin Richard Buchanan, his wife Fran, and his three adoring grandsons, Ian, Graham and Colin, all of Seattle, WA. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, June 11, 2010, at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 SE Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, FL. A military service for the interment will be conducted afterwards at Highland Memorial Park, 1515 NE 3rd St., Ocala, FL.