Jerry W Buchanan

On September 25, 2025, after ninety-four years, six months, and five days Jerry W Buchanan’s spirit left his physical body and a huge, loving heart, tired and totally used up in the service of Jesus Christ. He leaves behind his four children, Janie (Robert) Van Komen, Mary Kay (Brent) Kirkland, Bryan (Carrie) Buchanan, and Melissa (Bret) Archibald, 25 grandchildren, 78 great grandchildren, and 13 great-great grandchildren.

“Imagine That!”

Jerry was born during the great depression in a small frame home in Venice, Sevier County, Utah, on Friday, March 20th, 1931, to Archie Earl and Florene Davis Buchanan. He was welcomed by his brother, Forrest, and sisters Maxine, Deane, Belle and Gloria. Just six weeks into his life he survived whooping cough. This would be the first of many brushes with death that Jerry would be protected from during his life. His cherished little brother, David Earl, joined the family a few years later.

While just a high school student, Jerry prayed for his Heavenly Father to inspire him to date someone who would be a great eternal companion. Two days later, in the Bear River High School Auditorium he spotted Barbara Wood. Prayers answered. After a church dance at the Garland Cultural Hall the rest was history. She was the only one. She was his date for the ’48 Prom and forever after, the theme song ‘Deep Purple’ became their special song. On Friday, December 7th, 1951, he and Barbara were sealed together in the Logan Temple. They did have to hurry as the sealing, reception, honeymoon, packing and moving to San Diego all had to be done within a week.

Jerry loved his country and proudly served in the U S Navy during the Korean War. He was stationed in San Diego where his squad repaired F9F Navy jets that had been shot up in Korea. He specifically worked on the radio equipment and was awarded AT2 Second Class, similar to Corporal.

Jerry’s testimony of and commitment to Jesus Christ started early. He was called to be the “Bishop” of the Bear River Seminary for the school year 1946-47, but his church service certainly didn’t end there. He was first and always a fully committed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called on a mission to South Africa, he had his passport in hand and was packing his bags to leave when he found out that his country was calling his draft number. He and his friends joined the U S Navy, and his mission call had to be cancelled. He did, however, accept the calls to honorably serve his beloved friends and neighbors as a Bishop, High Counselor, Stake President, Temple Sealer and Stake Patriarch. As a Patriarch he was the mouthpiece for eight hundred and eight patriarchal blessings, and where possible he hand-delivered a copy of each blessing to the recipient. His last blessing was given just five weeks before his death.

As a result of the mentoring from his father, Jerry was a productive farmer and loved to work the ground and plant crops. He also developed a love of farm animals at a very young age helping his dad and older brother with the cattle and sheep. For most of his life, Jerry carefully and lovingly tended his animals. Jerry was a shepherd of lambs and people, lovingly caring for both throughout his life. The day he died, his little sheep herd was grazing in the back pasture just behind his house waiting for him to get up off the bed and bring them a little hay or grain.

In addition to his farming, Jerry worked for his father-in-law, Charles J. Wood, for nearly 20 years in the Wood Oil Co. and other various businesses. During that time Jerry pursued his education and graduated with associate degrees in Accounting and Business Management. He also worked for Farmers Grain Co-op and had his own business, Buchanan Oil Company.

Jerry found his perfect career niche in the real estate field and was a realtor and broker for 32 years helping people buy and sell their homes. He was recognized several times as Real Estate ‘Sales Master’ and ‘Realtor of the Year’ and was President of the Brigham Tremonton Board of Realtors three times. He was known for being completely fair and honest in every single transaction. In addition to his work responsibilities and church service Jerry served his community for two terms on the Box Elder County School Board.

Jerry and Barbara had their own miraculous mission experience when they were called to serve in the Nauvoo Temple Mission. They supported the public open house and dedication of the temple there. It was a glorious experience filled with many tender mercies. Jerry performed the first proxy sealing in the Nauvoo Temple.

Jerry served on the Bear River Valley Hospital Board and together with his wife, Barbara, served as Chairpersons for the Box Elder County Centennial Committee. The crowning achievement for Jerry and Barbara was what was known as the ‘Son’s of Helaman’ program. For eight years they served as leaders and chairpersons for this incredible experience. During those seven summers, each year about a hundred young men and their leaders would, after months of weekly meetings and preparation, travel to Camp Atoka in Ogden Canyon where young men gained testimonies of Jesus Christ. The events of that special sacred week helped those young men plant their feet on the covenant path. If you ask any one of those almost eight hundred men today, they will say that they will never forget how the ‘Son’s of Helaman’ experience positively changed the course of their life.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Archie Earl and Florene Davis Buchanan, his wife, Barbara, granddaughter, Sarah Jane Van Komen, grandson, Casey Brent Kirkland, great-granddaughter, Belle Sarah Johnson, and great-grandson, Cyle John Van Komen. Also preceding him in death are his siblings Forrest, Maxine Garn, Deane Wilcox, Belle Molloy, and Gloria White. He is survived by his brother David.

Touching hearts and changing lives was what Jerry W. Buchanan’s life was all about. If he knew you, he loved and cared about you, and he did it non-stop for ninety-four years six months and five days.

“Imagine That!”

Well done thou good and faithful servant!

Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Rudd Funeral Home: Monday, October 6th at 12:00 noon at the Tremonton South Stake Center, 1150 S. Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Viewings: Sunday October 5th from 6:00-8:00pm and Monday October 6th from 10:00-11:30 am also in the Tremonton South Stake Center. The service will be livestreamed and can be accessed below.

In following Jerry’s example, the family suggests donations to the LDS Church Humanitarian Fund or another Charity of your choice.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.