Bobby Joe Buchanan

Bobby Joe Buchanan was born to LuJette and Joe Buchanan on November 5, 1944 in Madison County Hospital. He graduated from Pinetta Jr. High School and Madison High School. At MHS, he was recognized as an All Big Ben basketball player by the Tallahassee Democrat. As a student at North Florida Junior College, he lettered in basketball and track. He set a school record in pole vaulting. He was also a long-distance runner and high jump competitor. After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in Criminology, Bobby Joe taught in the Madison County School System. Then he became the Adult Education Coordinator at North Florida Junior College. Later, he assumed the position of Director of Criminal Justice Training. Most of his energy was focused on training correctional officers for all the state prisons being constructed in NFJC's service area. He was a charter member of the Madison County Sheriff's Reserve (MR1) and served until 2003. For sixteen years, he served in the Florida National Guard and served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was the CEO in the National Guard from Tallahassee Company A, 124th infantry and Company Commander of the U.S. Army Reserve Unit in Madison, Florida. For many years, he was the third baseman for the Madison Merchants Softball Team. When he wasn't playing football, he was catching fish out of the Withlacoochee River, gardening, or cooking delicious meals for family, friends, and community. Bobby Joe and co-worker, Harold Bland, began an annual tradition of feeding all the students and faculty at NFJC a meal of collard greens and venison chili. Also, he always cooked his fabulous recipe of venison chili at the Founders Day event at Hickory Grove United Methodist Church. He served a chairperson of the Board of Trustees of First United Methodist Church and on the Staff-Parish Relations Committee of Hickory Grove United Methodist Church. He will be remembered for his laughter, his warm smile, his tall tales, and his love for boiled peanuts. Bobby Joe is survived by his wife, Mary Wells Buchanan, his son, Michael Buchanan, Pinetta; his brother, Dr. Gale Buchanan (Carol) Adel, Georgia; his brother, Dan Buchanan (Paulette) Pinetta , Florida; one aunt, Mrs. Elaine Bland, (Gene, deceased) Dowling Park, Florida; two daughters by friendship, Holly Taylor (Dan) Macon, Georgia, and Dalton Cox (Ben) Pinetta, Florida; many wonderful nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends, and his dog, Samantha. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and LuJette Buchanan, and one brother, Randall Buchanan and his wife, Betty Sue. Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Madison with burial following at Hickory Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Saturday at Beggs Funeral Home, Madison Chapel. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Florida Education Foundation.

Bobby Joe Buchanan

May 11, 1944 - May 30, 2018