Reginald Norman Buchanan

Reginald “Reggie” Norman Buchanan, age 70, passed away on June 14th, 2018, in Snohomish, Washington. He was born on August 8, 1947, in Jackson Mississippi to James Norman Buchanan and Wilma Dean (Hunt) Buchanan.

Although his family moved around Texas often, they did settle in Beaumont, where he graduated in 1965 from French High School and went on to attend Lamar State college of Technology receiving a Bachelor of Science in Commercial Art in 1969. He enjoyed his college days with his fraternity brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha, many of which he stayed in touch with over the years.

Following in his father’s footsteps, he worked in the jewelry business all through college. Afterward he moved to Houston, Texas for a Zales manager training program. It was there that he received a call from corporate asking if he would be interested in opening a Zales jewelry store in Anchorage, Alaska. In 1971, this move proved to be destiny because once Reg arrived in Alaska he truly never wanted to leave; he had found his home. He always said Texas was just too hot!

In 1975, he met and married Linda Quick and together they had two children, Leandra (Buchanan) Parnel and Patrick Buchanan, before divorcing in 1981.

After leaving the jewelry business in 1977, Reg worked as a Food and Beverage Buyer at Alaska Fish and Farm for almost 20 years. Later he moved on to Food Bank of Alaska where his good nature and business skills were put to good use.

After spending 39 years in Alaska, Reg moved down to the Seattle area in 2010 to be near his children. He continued nonprofit work, spending a couple years with Food Lifeline of Seattle before retiring in 2013.

When living in Anchorage, Reg was a long time member of the Mountaineering Club of Alaska, serving as secretary, treasurer and board member for many years. He enjoyed hunting trips with friends and family in both Alaska and Texas. He was an avid reader and history buff. Reg could converse for hours on his favorite subject, the Civil War and collected many paintings of the war’s famous battles. He also found pleasure in serving his community through Rotary International and his work at Food Bank of Alaska.

Reg is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Neal Buchanan, and ex-wife Linda Quick. He is survived by his daughter, Leandra (Jeff) Parnel, two granddaughters, Mckinley and Jacelyn; his son, Patrick Buchanan, brother, Jim Buchanan (San Antonio, TX), and sister, Jan Hargrave (Vidor, TX).

Reg will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and fondness for his friends and family. His neighbors in Snohomish, who made his last couple of years so enjoyable, quoted Carol Burnett with these parting words: “I’m so thankful we had this time together.” 

A memorial service will be held at the Snohomish Senior Center on July 14 at 12:30pm, lunch provided.

Thank you for visiting our online memorial. Please feel free to leave thoughts and prayer with the family by signing the online guest register book.