Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
Rod Buchanan Memorial
Rod Buchanan Memorial

Rod Buchanan

Rod Buchanan

Wednesday, July 13th, 2016

Rodney Neal Buchanan was born in Yakima, WA on Nov. 18, 1950. On July 13, 2016, he left this world as a loving father and loyal friend, and entered in to his eternal life as a child of God…exchanging his earthly burdens and struggles for salvation and freedom.

Rod grew up primarily in Yakima, WA, but his family relocated often for short periods of time and he attended many different schools. As a teenager, Rod moved to Newhalem and attended Concrete High School as his father, a dozer operator, was working on the North Cascade Highway. Thus began a lifelong love for the Upper Skagit River area.

Rod resided most of his adult life in Skagit Valley, close to his fondest memories, adventures, shenanigans “up river” in Concrete, Marblemount, and Newhalem. He is fondly remembered for his impeccable choice of muscle cars and old time rock and roll music, being an avid Washington Huskies fan, his sensitive heart for animals, and his uncanny resemblance of actor Sam Elliott. He was a craftsman at heart, and had the unique ability to build and fix most anything he set his mind to, with flawless results. He established a career as a Commercial Plumber and was an active member of the Plumber and Pipe Fitters Union Local 26. One of his favorite pastimes was spending summer days on his boat cruising amidst the beautiful scenery of the Puget Sound or pristine Cascade mountain lakes. Rod retired in 2008 in order to travel full time with his wife Melody. They enjoyed the warm winters of Yuma, AZ and beautiful summers in the Pacific Northwest for several years before he once again chose full time residency in Mount Vernon, WA. This is when he met his Savior Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:11-13 describes his easy going nature perfectly: “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Rod was always one to make do with what he had and give what he had, when he had it. The one exception to this was of course his Oreos, which is a trait passed down to his children and grandchildren.

With declining health, his last few years were spent quietly loving his family, daily outings to Dairy Queen, occasional baseball or soccer games to watch his grandsons play, and parking in his favorite parking spot quietly reflecting life.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jake and Linnie Buchanan, and brothers Cliff and John Buchanan.

Rod is survived by his wife, Melody Buchanan; his brother, William Buchanan and wife Darlene of Yakima, WA; his sister, Martha Pickerel, of AZ; daughters Jeanine Ferguson and husband Jim of Burney, CA , Amy Palanuik and husband Kevin of Camano Island, WA, and Brandee Griffin and husband Adam of Mount Vernon, WA; eight grandsons and three granddaughters.

A memorial gathering will take place on July 29, 2016 at 4pm at Riverfront Park, 1001 River Road, Sedro-Woolley,

WA 98924. In lieu of flowers, his daughters would greatly appreciate memorial contributions to be given to Apprentice Ministries at 12405 Skymont Place N.W., Silverdale WA 98383 or go to www.apprenticeministries.com to donate online.

Please share memories of Rod and sign the online guest register.

Guestbook

  • Wade

    Happy Heavenly Birthday Rod. You would have been 73 today. Jude and I love you and miss you my friend. We are watching the ‘Brawl of the Wild (MSU Bobcats vs UM Grizzlies). Next week is the Apple Cup (WSU Cougars vs UW Huskies). Thinking of you and missing you…

  • Wade

    Happy Birthday Rippy (Deputy Dawg). You would have been 72 today. Love and miss you buddy. ‘Captain Coug’

  • Rusty and Kimberly Dueitt

    He was a good friend the yeats we traveled and stayed in Mount Vernon .

  • Wade (Captain Coug) Clark

    Judith Lynne and I are missing you today my friend. You would have been 71 today. You were taken from us all too soon. We raise our glass to you, and wonder what would have been. Save us a place next to you if you can…

  • Kimberly Dueitt

    Melody sorry to hear about Rod, just finall got back up here for a job and thought of you too. so sorry for your loss

  • Seester Hey Jude

    My Dear Brother from another Mother!
    I know you have welcomed Mom with big hugs and your great smile! Thank you! Don’t forget, Sharon came along 6 weeks before Mom, so you both must have had a lot to do to get ready :>) All of us down here are missing you all so very much. We are also looking forward to seeing you soon. Be sure and keep the fires burning. the purple on, and trying to catch the biggest fish!!. Talk to you soon.!!

  • Wade...Captain Coug

    Today would have been your 68th Birthday my dear friend. Wish you were here to celebrate with. Love and miss ya Rippy…’Deputy Dawg’

  • Wade Captain Coug

    Hey Rippy (Deputy Dawg). You are the only person I know that ever mentioned liking Deep Purple’s ‘River Deep Mountain High’. Released 50 years ago this month so traveling down memory lane (with you in mind) and plaything this for you. Save me a place lad?

  • Jerry Harrison

    My condolences to Rod’s wife and family. I have many great memories of all the years I knew Rod starting when he first moved to Newhalem in the early 60’s. He was a great guy and I’ll never forget him and all the things we did together.

  • Mark and Gladys Shipman

    Amy, Brandee and Jeanine. We were so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.

  • Wade (Captain Coug) Clark

    Love and miss you Rippy. I’ll never forget the kidnapped Baker Lake boat trip overnight camp…and losing the wrench in the lake (can you wave that red flag at that boat over there?), many a backyard campfire, the Seafair hydroplane races, and many other notable moments. Thank you for being a part of our lives my friend. Deputy Dawg, may your spirit fly free and happy…

  • Larry Ausink

    Rod was a great guy, truly one of the good ones, you always felt comfortable around him. My thoughts and prayers for his family. He left us too soon….

  • Alice Sitton

    So sorry for the loss of your Dad, my prayers are with you girls and your family.May God be with you in your sorrow. My love Alice

  • Sylvia Baxter

    One of the good guys at EV! So sorry for your loss, your tears, your family be lifted up for the Lord Jesus to comfort and give His peace to.

  • Ted Zepeda,

    I was just thinking about Rod the other day . I did not expect to see this on facebook or a final goodbye so early in our lives. I went to high school with Rod at Easy Valley H S in Moxee ,Wa . We have a lot of great memories at moxee hop festivals together and camping in the mountains. I wish his family and wife my sincerest sympathy and condolences at this time of loss and emptiness.
    RIP my friend . I will toast you often .

  • James and Theresa Twedt

    Such a wonderful man and friend. We will miss him so much.

  • Kathy Allen

    Rod was at our house with Ernie all the time, he is like another brother. I will truly miss his laughter, and compassion to others. RIP

  • Renee Cassidy-Plumb

    Jeanine,Amy, and brandee, I never got to meet your dad, but he and your mom sure had wonderful kids! I’m so very joyful that he met Christ!! I’m sorry for your loss, but yet,he’s just gone on ahead and awaits you in paradise! Hallelujah! He must have been a wonderful man. Love you all.
    Renee Cassidy-Plumb

  • Linda (Miles) Lundberg

    My thoughts & prayers go out to Rods family. May your Faith, Family, Friends & Many Happy Memories help you in the day to come! You all have a very Special Guardian Angel looking down on you 24/7. I have special memories of Rod growing up with us in Newhalem and a part of our class of 1969, at C.H.S. Take Care , I Care. R.I.P Rod. We all will be together again some day.

  • Jo Gregory

    Rod was in my class in High School & was liked by everyone. He was always so friendly & fun to be around. I will miss seeing him at our class reunions. Hugs to his family.