November 05, 1957 - May 06, 2011

Always smiling, a generous friend who will be missed by many

Alan was born November 5th, 1957 in Yakima, WA to Lynn and Janet Buchanan. He was the third of four children. Alan lived in Yakima until the age of 17 attending High School at Eisenhower Sr. High until he moved with his mom and sister to Irvine, CA, where he graduated from University High School in 1976.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Alan moved to Aurora, CO and worked for Aspen sportswear. He also became a pretty darn good chef while there. Much to his friends delight he continued to have weekly dinners at his house even after being confined to his wheelchair in early 2010, by instructing them how to cook many of his favorite dishes.

Alan joined the Marine Corps at age 27, taking pleasure in besting many of the younger recruits at Boot Camp. He served in the Marine reserves in a 205mm gun battery. He received an Honorable discharge in August of 1993. Alan was proud of his service and loved engaging in the interservice rivalries within our family.

After moving back to the Seattle area he acquired his EMT certificate, became a Licensed Massage therapist, and eventually worked for Lowes becoming a manager with that company. It was at Lowes that he met his loving girlfriend Frances Morgan, both she and her daughter Rachel becoming a major part of his life. They will miss him very much.

He loved boating and scuba diving and ultimately became a Dive Master for Underwater sports. He also was becoming proficient in Technical, Nitrox, and deep diving , and enjoyed traveling to exotic dive locations. Through all this he became involved with the Seafair Boat Club putting in the Seafair Hydroplane race course and log boom for many years while making many close friends along the way. He became a favorite of the Miss Budweiser crew after recovering one of their prized props after a mishap.

He also loved taking pictures, doing videos and enjoyed editing them well.

He is survived by his father Lynn Buchanan (Connie Buchanan); brothers William Buchanan (Vicky Buchanan), David Buchanan (Teresa Headrick); sister Christi Anderson (Steven Anderson); nieces and nephews Alyia Carrigan (Josiah), Jonathan Anderson (Nicci), William Anderson, Stephanie Anderson, Benjamyn Buchanan, and Andrew Buchanan; great nephew Brogan, great nieces Kieva and Kyrie. And of course Frances and Rachel Morgan. He was preceded in death by his mother Janet R Buchanan.

Alan passed on to the Lord on May 6th, 2011 after surviving a long and hard three years with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease.

We want to thank the faithful workers of Franciscan Hospice in Federal Way, WA that helped Alan through his last eight months here. We also want to thank the ALS Association Evergreen Chapter for their amazing help, support, ideas, equipment loans and everything else they do.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

A celebration of Alan's life will be held on Saturday, May 21st, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the Edmonds Plaza Room.

DONATIONS

Flowers are appreciated, or donations to the ALS Association Evergreen Chapterin lieu of flowers would also be welcome. They are a wonderful organization and help many families through the battle of ALS/Lou Gehrig’s.

Memorial

The Soldier's Prayer

"And When He Gets To Heaven,
To Saint Peter He Will Tell;
One More Marine Reporting Sir..."

Author Unknown