James Douglas Buchanan

James, also known as Jim or Buck, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2021, from natural causes while attended by family. He and his wife of 73 years, Betty Buchanan, requested a joint memorial service at the time of her passing. James was born in Molena, Georgia on November 3, 1929. He was the youngest of three children who have preceded him in death.



James married the love of his life on October 21, 1948. He was serving in the United States Air Force and met Betty while home on leave from bootcamp. They married six months later and her family said, "It will never last!" He proudly served 20 years as a Flight Engineer in the military which took him all over the world fulfilling his dream to travel. He received the Soldier's Medal for his heroism while saving crew members in a plane crash he was in. He never spoke of it until his grown children found and read the commendation letter.

James went on to work a second full career of 20 plus years for the Exxon-Mobil Refinery in Martinez. He remained a consultant for two years after his retirement.

James loved his family, music, traveling, privately writing poetry and always found time to make a quick trip with Betty to enjoy the Eldorado in Reno, Nevada. He leaves behind his children, Jim Buchanan & Gabrielle, Nancy Larkin & Gene, Diane Kidder & Todd, nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

A memorial ceremony for James and Betty (as they requested) will be held at the Sacramento Veteran's Memorial Cemetery on October 25, 2024 at 1 p.m.