Melvin “Leon” Buchanan was born June 18, 1940 in Purcell, Okla. to parents Dola Mae and Oscar “Melvin” Buchanan.
He crossed over into eternity on April 5, 2024 in Glenpool, Okla.
After growing up on the farm in Wayne, Okla., Leon married Torcia Fern Graham on July 19, 1960 in Purcell, Okla. and they were blessed with 62 years of marriage.
After they were married in 1960, they moved to Norman, Okla. They also lived in Purcell, Okla. and then Altus, Okla.before finally settling down in Edmond in 1976. After Torcia crossed over in 2022, Leon moved to Glenpool to be closer to family.
If there ever was the ultimate salesman, it was Leon. He worked several jobs in vending and coffee sales.
He worked at Cain’s Coffee Company in the 70’s and 80’s selling coffee and tea to grocery stores and restaurants all over western Oklahoma. He loved to “seal the deal”. After Cain’s, he worked for Executive Coffee Service and managed the equipment repair shop.
After retiring from there, he was bored as he could never sit still for more than 10 minutes. So Leon took on the next great adventure of his life; being a school bus driver for Edmond Public Schools. He loved the kids, their parents, and he even put up with the other bus drivers! He often said being a bus driver was the most fun job he ever had.
Now he wasn’t all work. Leon and Torica enjoyed shooting their 12 gauge shot guns at couple’s skeet and sporting clay competitions. Many times they would come back with trophies and prizes all because of Torica’s performance. However, when she wasn’t around, he would tell the rest of us the “truth”.
Also that salesman instinct did fade when he left Cain’s. He perfected his craft for over 50 years at garage sales all over Edmond. Most Friday and Saturday mornings, you could find him in his truck or with his buddy Ken wheelin’ and dealin’. Torcia could tell if he was successful by how he came home. If he came in the front door, that meant he pretty much struck out, but if she heard the garage door open, then that meant he was out there “hiding” his treasures so she couldn’t tell just exactly how much he spent!
Leon is preceded in death by his wife Torcia, and sisters, Roberta Johnson and Geraldine Deibler.
Leon is survived by his only son Shayne Buchanan and his wife Marta of Glenpool, Okla.; 3 grandchildren, Blayne Buchanan, Bryce Buchanan, and Braylin Buchanan, and sisters Wanda Christian and Glenda Abney.
A funeral service will occur Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Baggerley Funeral Home Chapel 930 South Broadway, Edmond, Okla. 73034 with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 13313 North Kelley, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73131.
Leon was a Shriner. He loved to parade and help kids. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Shriners Hospital for Children.
