Tom Buchanan, age 81, of Eddyville, KY passed away Monday, March 2, 2020 at his home. He was a member of Eddyville United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school for forty years and served on various committees.
Tom was active in KHSAA Board of Control having served as President and helped establish Lee S. Jones Scholarship Fund. He was involved in West Kentucky Co-op and member and chairman of Food Bank Counsel. He was active in and served as chairman of Lyon County Extension Office. Tom served on the Library Board. Golf was his passion and he always said, “It wasn’t how you played the game, but the friends you played with.”
Tom became involved in education after finishing college at Eastern New Mexico University where he and his older brother, Bob, attended on basketball scholarships. He began his career as a teacher, coach and elementary principal in Texas. From there he became a high school principal in Southern Illinois. He returned to Kentucky where he taught and coached several years. In Carlisle and Ballard counties he was high school boys basketball coach, athletic director, middle school principal and federal programs coordinator. He served as Lyon County School Superintendent for eleven years. After he retired from Lyon County Schools, he continued to serve as interim superintendent and principal throughout the state of Kentucky. He was co-owner with his brother, Bob, of Kentucky Educators Insurance. Tom was appointed “Lyon County Deputy Judge” by Lyon County Judge Executive, Wade White.
He is survived by his bride of 56 years, Ruth Ann Copeland Buchanan, Eddyville, KY; one daughter, Mindy Blackburn (Steve), Eddyville, KY; one son, Todd Buchanan, El Paso, TX; two sisters, Jean Glisson and Ann Reed (Mark); one brother, Larry Buchanan (Dwan); four grandchildren, Kell Blackburn (Megan), Barrett White (Brandon), Kade Blackburn and Colton Buchanan; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Miller Buchanan and his wives, Martha Mueller Buchanan and Virgie Bryant Buchanan; two brothers, Jerry Buchanan and Bob Buchanan.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 5, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Friday, March 6, 2020 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Lakeland Funeral Home in Eddyville, KY. Funeral services will be Friday, March 6, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Lakeland Funeral Home with Rev. Ronnie Stinson and Rev. Steve McVay officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Ballard County, KY.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Lyon County Scholarship Foundation, 217 Jenkins Rd., Eddyville, KY 42038.
You may light a candle or leave a message for the family at: www.lakelandchapel.com.