Samuel Abraham Buchanan Jr.

Samuel Abraham Buchanan Jr., 85, passed away peacefully at home, where he was happiest, early on the morning of July 4, 2020. Sam was born in Texarkana, Texas on July 21, 1934 to mother and father Vonciel and Samuel Buchanan. He graduated from Texas high school and attended The University of Arkansas. There he joined Kappa Sigma Fraternity and became a lifetime member. After college, Sam Buchanan was a force in the Texarkana business community as head of the family business, Buchanan Enterprises, which manufactured and distributed Dr Pepper, Pepsi and 7-Up products to parts of east Texas and south-west Arkansas. He also served as owner, for a short period, of an Anheuser Busch distributorship in Texarkana, Arkansas. One of his proudest professional achievements was the opportunity to serve on The National Soft Drink Association Board. In his time on the board, he planned national meetings and delivered speeches to associations all over the United States. And this tribute would not be properly complete without mentioning his utter glee at Coca Cola changing its formula in 1985 after a complete and utter defeat in the previous years' Pepsi Challenge marketing campaign! Through his position as a Texarkana community leader, Sam contributed both time and talent toward the success of many important causes and institutions. At St. James Day School Sam served as Board President, and at St. James Episcopal Church he served as a member of the Vestry. He credits The Episcopal Church for steering his faith most profoundly as he entered its welcoming congregation. In his role as a civic leader, Sam also gave much of his time in service to the Board of Texarkana National Bank, the board of The Texarkana Country Club, and as President of The Texarkana Rotary Club. In 1989, after Sam sold his Texarkana business interests, he and his family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. He dived head first into the Little Rock business community as a venture capitalist and also as a founding investor/member in The Colleton River Plantation Golf Club in Hilton Head, North Carolina. Sam spent many happy hours making that course the treasure he envisioned with his friend and one of his biggest sports idols, Jack Nicklaus, as lead course designer. The completed product is still a shining low-country gem. He loved keeping an office and maintained one long after his "official" retirement. Each of his assistants became more like family. Elizabeth, "Iboo" Miller was quick to the scene as he settled into his first Little Rock house, and today she once again helps manage family affairs – especially those of the heart – as honorary sister to Sam's other girls. Sam continued to give more of himself in both community and philanthropic efforts in Little Rock. He served on the board of directors of both The Arkansas Arts Center and The Arkansas Repertory Theater. While a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Sam served on the vestry and played active roles in their outreach activities. He also gave generously thru time on the St. Vincent Infirmary patient advisory board and as a major contributor of gifts, time and talents to Arkansas Children's. His greatest joy as a man of faith came during his final membership of Christ Episcopal Church. Frances Rogers Buchanan was the love of Sam's life, and they recently celebrated their 47th year as husband and wife. They loved and they laughed; and they experienced all of life's toughest moments and richest joys together. Sam and Frances truly enjoyed each other's company as they traveled the world, and they made each of their houses a home. Sam absolutely loved the study and collection of fine antiques and oriental rugs. As much as he thoroughly enjoyed so many parts about travel, he clearly always found the most happiness exploring and playing golf courses all over the globe, and he played the game of golf very well. When he departed this life, his hole-in-one count was eleven; but the count now is surely unlimited. The courses at St. Andrews in Scotland, The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Pebble Beach and Augusta National stood out as the fairways and greens (and sometimes water hazards!) he felt most lucky to have played. Sam was an impeccable dresser who never went anywhere without being perfectly groomed and looking sharp. He loved the written word, proper grammar usage, and he was a fabulous writer. When Sam told one of his favorite stories, everyone listened. His beautiful, deep, commanding voice, total candor and lack of fear in expression made his tales deeply unforgettable. His sense of humor was completely unequaled. Sam's close friends were plentiful, and his love for them was deep and true. Sam is predeceased by his mother and father, his older brother, Reverend Canon John Allen Buchanan, and his baby brother, William Fuller Buchanan. He is survived by five children: Allen Collum Buchanan (Carla McKnight Buchanan), John William Buchanan (Sandy Buchanan) and Mary Anne Buchanan Lachowsky (Thomas), Susan Buchanan Jeter and Kathryn Buchanan Bushmiaer (Bob). Also surviving Sam are his 10 grandchildren: Ashley Buchanan Levandowski (Adam), Blake Andrew Buchanan (Jessica), Michael Allen Buchanan, Brittney Buchanan Amado (Josh), Paige Buchanan Harper (Joshua), Parker Andrew Lachowsky (Anna), Jordan Samuel Lachowsky, Louis Brooks Lachowsky, Hudgens Buchanan Jeter and Kathryn Joye Jeter. His beloved great-grandchildren are: Jayden Levandowski, Jackson Levandowski, Leah Amado, Thomas Allen Harper, Allen Langston Buchanan, Beatty Lauren Buchanan, William Kenneth Harper and August Louis Buchanan. He is also survived by many adored nieces and great-nieces. A private family service celebrating Sam's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at Christ Episcopal Church, Little Rock with interment immediately following in the crease close of the church. Loved ones will be able to share in the celebration via live stream to accommodate current safety standards. This can be done by visiting www.youtube.com and subscribe to "Christ Church Little Rock" or www.facebook.com/christepiscopalchurchLR or www.christchurchlr.org and clicking the links provided. He will also be partially interred in the columbarium of St. James Church, Texarkana, Texas. The family requests with gratitude that donations in Sam's honor be made to: P.A.R.K. in Little Rock, Christ Episcopal Church and Arkansas Children's. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.