Gale Roland Buchanan

Gale R. Buchanan, a retired Fire Captain of the Portland Fire Bureau, passed away June 30th from causes of advanced age. He was 100 years old. Born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Gale, with his parents and younger brother, moved to Portland in 1920. He graduated from Ockley Green Elementary School in 1930 and from Jefferson High School in 1935. Gale worked for General Paint Corporation and Broadview Dairy before he enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937. Stationed at the Nehalem CCC Camp, he helped build the original Foss/Lower Nehalem Road from Batterson to Salmonberry, Oregon. Gale received a leave of absence from the CCC to attend Oregon State University where he studied Forestry. After his discharge from the CCC, Gale became employed by the Portland Fire Bureau in 1939 where he worked until his retirement 30 years later. He was then appointed a deputy in the Oregon State Fire Marshall's office. During this time, he was transferred to the Oregon State Building Codes Division, and worked as a Commercial Building Plans Examiner. He held this position until 1976 when the Beaverton Fire Department employed him to do the same type of work. Gale permanently retired in 1980.

In his youth, Gale was a member of the Oregon National Guard. During WWII, he served with the U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska. On December 7, 1940 he married Bernice (Bernie) Gill. Before his wife preceded him In death three years ago, they had been married 73 years and had traveled world-wide. They were both lifetime members of the Portland Foursquare Church.

Gale was a Life Member of the Royal Rosarians. His larger-than-life image was among the Royal Rosarians' wall mural that for many years greeted travelers at PDX. He was also a member of the Portland Retired Firefighter and Widows Associations. He volunteered with Portland Toy & Joy, Sunshine Division, and Portland Safety Learning + Fire Museum.

Mr. Buchanan is survived by two daughters, Gaylene Swain (Ted) and Colleen Buchanan (Jim Dalzell); two grandchildren, Troy Swain and Lauryn Roberts (Justin); one great-grandson, Jace Roberts. Also, caregivers, Sam and Dana Babalai and Dariela Silva.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be sent to either the Jeff Morris Foundation/Fire Museum: www.jeffmorrisfoundation.org or Royal Rosarian Foundation: royalrosarianfoundation.org

Funeral will be held Friday, July 8: reception/viewing beginning at noon; service beginning at 1:00PM.Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home. 20 NE 14th Ave, Portland, OR.

Arrangements under the direction of Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home, Portland, OR.