John W. Buchan

John William Buchan, 88 years of age, passed away on May 1, 2009 at Glenaire Retirement Community. John was born on the 24th of April 1921 to the late Marie Godfrey Buchan and H. Carl Buchan in Pinehurst, NC. He was the middle child of five brothers. John grew up in Raleigh and Pine Bluff, NC. He always considered himself to be an "old Raleigh boy" as he grew up in the Hayes Barton section of Raleigh and attended Myrtle Underwood School, Broughton High School and Southern Pines High School. Upon the start of World War II, he and his brothers all enlisted in various branches of the US Military. John served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and married his wife of 57 years, Gene Cooper of Cassett, SC on March 13, 1943. After a one day honeymoon, he shipped out to England. He landed on Omaha Beach on D plus 6 and joined the campaign in Northern Europe. Upon discharge, he attended and graduated from the University of South Carolina where he received a degree in accounting. He held various financial posts with several companies before joining the NC Department of State Auditor in 1957. He rose to the position of Chief Deputy State Auditor, a post he held until his retirement in 1982. Upon his retirement from the state, he started a new career in the insurance business when he founded Buchan Agency, a business that still thrives today. John was preceded in death by his wife, Gene and his brothers Carl, Ralph and William (Billy) Buchan. He is survived by his sons: John and his wife, Donna, of Cary; Robert and his wife, Tina, of Corpus Christi, TX; and Joe of Washington, DC; and grandchildren: Edward, Austin, Max and Ava. He is also survived by his brother: Lee and his wife, Louise Buchan, of Aberdeen, NC; nephews: Ralph Buchan, Jr. and Sam Buchan; niece: Cam Buchan Hurst; and cousin: Lena Stewart. He leaves behind a legion of friends and associates too numerous to mention in every corner of the state. He will always be remembered for that famous dry sense of humor which endeared him to so many and tales of his six holes in one. John served his country in the US Army Air Corps., the State of NC as Chief Deputy State Auditor and many clients as an Insurance broker. He was a kind and generous man. It was a life well lived. The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of the Glenaire Retirement Community for their love and gentle care that they rendered to our father over the many years of his residence there. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 from 10-11 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM at the church, with a graveside service to be held at 3 PM at the Old Bethesda Church Cemetery in Aberdeen, NC. Flowers are welcomed; however, memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 120 W. hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 or to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 27584, Raleigh, NC 27611. Arrangements with Mitchell Funeral Home. Condolences to www.mitchellraleighmemorial.com.