David Wayne Buchanan

     David Wayne Buchanan was born to Betty Jane Hinchey and Harold Phelps Badgley on December 1st,1949. He grew up in Michigan with his elder sister Linda and his younger brother Rick. He often told the story of how he began work at just 10 years old picking pickling cucumbers for 10 cents a bushel. He worked as a hot walker, caring for and exercising racehorses, at 14 years old at Churchill Downs. After being drafted into the United States Army in 1967, he served honorably for 3 years, then re-enlisted as a Sergeant in 1970. He was stationed both here at home and abroad in Germany, Panama, and Vietnam. During his 9 year military career he was recognized with the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1976. 

     While he always maintained great pride in his military service, his true joy was his family. Dave married the love of his life, Vicki Beer in 1973. At the time of his death, they had been married 50 years. In 1981, Dave legally changed his surname from Badgley to Buchanan in honor of his stepfather, Oscar C. Buchanan to ensure that his children would carry the name with them. Dave and Vicki have three daughters. His eldest, Satania was born in 1970, and his twins, Rebecca and Jennifer, were born in 1982. Dave and his family settled in the Klamath Basin in Oregon in 1976, where he worked for the Klamath Irrigation District until his civilian retirement in 2013. 

     Throughout his life, Dave was an avid outdoorsman and craftsman with a deep love for the natural world. He instilled his love of nature and horses in his children and grandchildren as well. He’d take the family up to Topsy Reservoir and always managed to catch “the first, the most and the biggest '' crappie. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, horsemanship and skeet shooting. Dave brought his knowledge and skill with horses to bear racing chariots near The Dalles, Oregon. He founded the Diamond Arrow Ranch while working at the irrigation district and ran black Angus cattle for many years. “Bucky” Buchanan was well known in the community for his work and generosity and was locally famous for catching a 9’ sturgeon out of the A canal with his bare hands.

      He is survived by his beloved wife, his cherished daughters, and his grandchildren; Jessica, Patrick, Vicki, Oscar, Baird, and Aurora. His sense of humor, his fierce love, tough work ethic and commitment to family will be greatly missed in this world. To his granddaughter Vicki, he will always be the “Great All-knowing Father of the Earth”. See ya later, Papa Dave.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Wayne Buchanan, please visit our floral store.