Dean Buchanan

G. Dean Buchanan, age 81, went to be with the Lord Saturday, September 20th, after a brief illness at Mitchell House in Spruce Pine. He passed peacefully in his sleep. Dean was born in Mitchell County on December 31, 1943, to the late Holden and Dolly Buchanan. Dean was the devoted husband of sixty-one years to Fran Buchanan, and loving father to the late Scott Buchanan and Brian Buchanan. A lifelong resident of Mitchell County, Dean was an avid outdoorsman whose greatest joy, other than family, was being in the mountains he loved. He enjoyed hiking in unexplored areas, watching for wildlife and searching for morels and ginseng, all while embracing the beauty of God's creation. Dean loved to fish, so much so that he once hiked in and out of Linville Gorge with a cast on his foot because his love for fishing took precedence over any physical obstacle or pain. Dean was a well-known taxidermist for many years, and was requested by Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, to preserve a black bear which was included as part of their permanent display in Biltmore House. Dean loved people and never met a stranger. During his professional career, he was a top regional salesman for Electrolux vacuum cleaners, winning trips for himself and Fran to destinations including Switzerland, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe and others. As a young man, Dean was a talented athlete and played football for Bowman High School Bulldogs in Bakersville. As an adult, he spent many Saturday's playing on a local softball team. Later on, as a skilled woodworker, his hobby was to make rustic furniture from Mountain Laurel, and other natural elements, which he sold to many residents across Western North Carolina. Dean's Christian faith was very important to him which he demonstrated through his actions and how he treated others. A lifelong Baptist, he was active in the church having served as a Deacon and was a dedicated and active member. Preceded in death are siblings, James Buchanan, Clarence Buchanan, Margaret Buchanan, Joe Buchanan, Bobby Buchanan. Surviving siblings are Kathryn Pate, Polly Burleson, Judy Murphy. Sister-in-law's, Judy Broadway and the late Doris Sparks. A visitation will be held Wednesday, September 24th from 6:00 - 7:00pm at Webb Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held Thursday, September 25th at 11:00am, in Wilson-Young Cemetery at Roan Mountain Baptist Church, where Dean was a member. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Dean's memory to Hospice and Home Care of The Blue Ridge via their website: https://www.hospiceblueridge.com/make-a-contribution Fran and Brian would like to express a sincere thank you to the entire staff at Mitchell House for their genuine concern while he was in their care, as well as Brittany Pitman and the team with Hospice and Home Care of The Blue Ridge. Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Dean Buchanan's name and then you may sign his guestbook. Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mr. Buchanan and is honored to be serving the Buchanan family. Mr. Buchanan's obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.