James Alexander Buchan

James (Jim) Alexander Buchan

James was born in Seattle, WA on February 16, 1940 to John Buchan and Florence (Rothwell) Buchan, our dear Jim husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 30 after being diagnosed last April with a brain tumor (glioblastoma), within a week of his marriage to Bonnie Harrington. Spirited, energetic, outgoing, and strong of body and soul, Jim touched many lives and cared deeply about people. Among his greatest joys, besides his family, was singing and performing in Barbershop Harmony Quartets, which he dearly loved for more than 40 years. For the past 17 years he sang baritone with the, "Pieces of Eight" and enjoyed many travels with the quartet and their wives. He rarely missed a home game of Husky football, made new friends during his weekly exercise routine at the Mukilteo YMCA, and was a dedicated member of the South Everett Rotary. A talented self-taught planner, designer and builder, Jim made wonderful improvements to every home he owned, and contributed much of his time and talents to his church, Richmond Beach Congregational. His Scottish heritage was very important to him, and among his many travels, Jim took great pleasure in four trips to Scotland, including visits to his grandparent's birth-places of Banff and MacDuff on the North Sea. He gained quite an appreciation for single-malt Scotch, his favorite being Oban. His other beverages of choice were IPA and red wine, both of which went well with his delicious BBQ of all types. Almost every year since 1991 Jim and other family members caravaned to Conconully, WA over Thanksgiving weekend to enjoy a rustic holiday tradition in an old cabin, complete with fireplace, wood-burning cook stove. Jim made the best turkey and dressing every year to the delight of the entire family. Jim grew up in Seattle and Shoreline, graduating from Shoreline High School in 1958. Following graduation, Jim attended Everett Community College and served with the U.S. Coast Guard. Jim worked for many years in the electronics and computer support industry, retiring in 2003 from the Majiq Corporation.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie; daughters, Terri Gross and Beth Heppell; brother, Dave (Susan Macek); and a blended family of four stepsons, Bob and Steve Crawford, Ed and Rick Harrington; stepdaughter, Nikki Calico; nine grandchildren; a nephew; and niece; and many cousins.
He was predeceased by Judy, his first wife and mother of his daughters, in 1980; and by his wife, Pat in 2005.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., February 11 at Richmond Beach Congregational Church, 1512 NW 195th St., Shoreline, WA. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following at the Innis Arden Clubhouse, 1430 NW 188th, Shoreline.
Donated remembrances in Jim's name can be made to the local American Cancer Society office, 728 134th St. SW, Suite 101, Everett, WA 98204; or to the National Brain Tumor Society, 124 Watertown Street, Suite 2D, Watertown, MA 02472, www.braintumor.org.