FREMONT BUCHANAN, 77, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday September 16, 2005.
He was born on May 12, 1928 in East LaPorte, North Carolina, the fourth of six children of John J. & Mary Jane Hooper Buchanan. He was raised and attended school in the Moses Creek area of North Carolina.
In 1945 at the age of 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving his country until the end of WW II.
In 1951 Fremont came to Skagit County and worked for the Scott Paper Company, starting a 38 year career as a diesel mechanic.
He met his soul mate in Joan Jensen, and they were united in marriage on June 25, 1955. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past summer.
Fremont also hauled cattle and bulls for area farmers, taking them to breeding sites or to auctions and was known as the ‘Bullman’ to those in the industry.
He enjoyed being around his cattle, visiting with his many friends, taking horseback trips into the mountains to go hunting and fishing and had spent many a day in the North Cascades even before the highway was built.
He was a member of the United Lodge # 93 where he was a 32nd Degree Mason. He also belonged to the Calvary Baptist Church in Burlington, and his heart was always near the Moses Creek Baptist Church in North Carolina.
Fremont is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joan, at the family home in Sedro-Woolley. His daughter and son-in-law, Julia Ann & Tony Sosa and his son and daughter-in-law, Fremont Jeffrey & Julie Elizabeth Buchanan, and, all of Sedro-Woolley. His precious grandchildren, Janel Woiwod Eric, Renee, Jason & Geoffrey Buchanan and his great-granddaughter, Gracie Rose Woiwod, who has brought him so much joy. 3 brothers, John & Claude Buchanan of Brevard, NC and Huey Buchanan of Cullowhee, NC and 2 sisters, Alice Morgan of Klamath, CA and Barbara Payne of Cape Coral, FL. Dear friends, Hod Wood, Doug & Stephanie Wood, Dan & Sherry Adams and Ann Leopard who was there when needed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Jonathan Axel Buchanan in 1981, a great-granddaughter, Aubrey Rose Woiwod in 2003 and his parents-in-law, Axel & Phyllis Jensen.
Memorials are suggested to the Calvary Baptist Church, 324 Avon Avenue, Burlington, WA 98233 or the Moses Creek Baptist Church c/o Earl Stephens, 1562 Moses Creek Road, Cullowhee, NC 28779.
Memorial Services will be held on Wednesday September 21, 2005 at 2:00 pm at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Leon Meyer of the Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Private family committal services with Masonic Rites and Military Honors will be held prior at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. A potluck fellowship will follow the memorial services at Riverfront Park in Sedro-Woolley at about 3:00 pm. Visitation is available on Monday from noon to 5 pm, on Tuesday from 9 am to 5 pm and from 7 to 8 pm and on Wednesday from 9 am to noon.