G. Sidney Buchanan

1933 - 2023

G. Sidney Buchanan
11/27/1933 - 01/07/2023
George Sidney Buchanan, Jr. died in Houston, Texas, on January 7, 2023. A channel of irrepressible joy in all phases of his life, Sidney prized above all else the love of Jesus Christ and the love of his surviving wife, Nell; his predeceased wife, Corrine; and the love of his family and many friends. Sidney was especially devoted to his children Emily, Stuart, and Martin, of whom he was very proud; when called upon to be a father to Nell's children, Sidney expanded his love to enfold them as well. In addition to being a devoted husband and father, Sidney expressed his love to others primarily as a highly respected law professor and legal scholar, and a faithful member of Christ Church Cathedral. Sidney said often that he would like most to be remembered as a person who, to the best of his ability, strove always to convey joyous love to others. His family, friends, students, colleagues, and all who knew him will attest that he succeeded beyond measure. Although his brilliant and clever mind was dimmed in his final years, Sidney never lost his joyful spirit, remaining a kind, thoughtful, and gentle soul until the last.
A native Houstonian, Sidney was born on November 27, 1933, the youngest child of George and Dorothy Buchanan. After attending elementary and junior high school in Houston, Sidney spent his high school years at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, graduating cum laude and second in his class in 1952. He then attended Princeton University, graduating magna cum laude in 1952 with an A.B. degree in history. Completing his education at Michigan University Law School, Sidney graduated J.D. with distinction in 1959. He returned to Houston with his wife Corinne to practice law with the firm of Vinson & Elkins, specializing in estate planning. While he found satisfaction in this practice, it did not bring to him the full career joy that he was seeking. That joy arrived abundantly when, in 1967, he accepted a position as associate professor of law at the University of Houston Law Center and embarked on a 42-year career, teaching and writing in the areas of Constitutional Law, First Amendment Rights, and Wills and Trusts. Rising through the professorial ranks, he was awarded the position of Law Foundation Professor and subsequently became the Baker Botts Chaired Professor of Law. During this time he received numerous awards for excellence in teaching and writing. He also served as Associate Dean. His career brought Sidney the highest levels of joy and satisfaction, especially when he composed and sang to his classes "law lyrics" to the tunes of familiar folk songs and musicals. He was much-loved by his students, who referred to him as "Captain Nice" and the "Singing Professor."
Equally rewarding to Sidney were his years since 1959 as a member of Christ Church Cathedral, the Episcopal church in downtown Houston. Here, Sidney performed enthusiastically in a range of activities, including as Lay Reader; Lay Eucharist Minister; Every Member Canvass worker, captain, and co-chair; church school teacher; Liturgy Council member and chairperson; member of four different Church Vestries; and, ultimately, Senior Warden. Perhaps his greatest pleasure derived from his writing of the lyrics for twenty-four Every Member Canvass skits performed each fall at the Cathedral. Each year, Sidney played a skit character named Howard Hopeful; somehow, Howard always had a solo.
As another area of joy-creating activity, Sidney, from 1981 forward, participated vigorously in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston, performing as a member of the chorus in a number of the Society's summer productions, and serving as a member of the Board of Directors from 1983 until his illness prevented further participation. It is fair to say that all things pertaining to Gilbert and Sullivan have been an integral and magical part of Sidney's life from childhood forward. Sidney's sense of the whimsical was no doubt developed early through his childhood devotion to the "Wizard of Oz" books; he owned every book in this extensive canon and continued to read them even in his last months.
Sidney is survived by his wife, Nell A. Richardson; children Emily Buchanan (Joseph Eckstein), Stuart Buchanan (Sarah Gish), Martin Buchanan, Jim Richardson, Allen Richardson, and Joan Richardson; grandchildren Alexander Buchanan, Matthew Buchanan, Felix Buchanan, and Violet Richardson; brother-in-law Frank Aycock (De Aycock), and sister-in-law Patsy Keever. He is predeceased by his wife Corrine Crothers Buchanan, brother Dodds Buchanan (Claire Lindgren), sister Daphne Grimes (Tommy Grimes), and brother-in-law James Aycock. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the Christ Church Cathedral Endowment Fund, 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas 77002; Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston Foundation, 1235 Cheshire Lane, Houston, Texas 77018; Holly Hall Retirement Community, 2000 Holly Hall Street, Houston, Texas 77054; or the University of Houston Law Center, 4170 Martin Luther King Blvd. Houston, Texas 77204.
A memorial service to celebrate Sidney's life will be held on Friday, January 20, at 10:00 AM at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, with a reception to follow in Sanders Hall. The service will be live-streamed at www.christchurchcathedral.org/sidneybuchanan.