Jack Gene Buchanan

Jack Gene Buchanan, 84, of Pocatello, ID, surrounded by his loving family, passed away due to complications from heart failure Thursday, February 8 at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello.

A long way from birthplace, Yancy County, North Carolina, Jack Buchanan, born to Issac and Crettie (Peterson) Buchanan, was the youngest of 11 children. After leaving home at age 16 for work in Detroit MI, he served in the United States Army and eventually found himself in Southern California, where he met and married JoAnn Gunsing, his wife of 60 years, and started a family together. Jack began as a skilled welder and, over the years, became a valuable asset to the steel fabrication industry wherever he was employed. Having built his career working between Oregon, Colorado and Idaho, Pocatello would, eventually, become the permanent home for he and JoAnn in their later years. Accepting a position with SME, Corporation in 1999, Jack served as the company's Pocatello Facility Human Resources Manager for several years before becoming their Facility Safety Manager until he retired at the age of 82.

Jack led a full life as a loyal husband, partner and provider with four children who adored him. He was a valued employee, beloved manager, accomplished bowler, master of Pinochle, and played a very impressive game of his beloved Golf nearly to the very end. Anyone who knew Jack would say he was a real character; one of a kind that definitely left an impression with his affable country demeanor and keen sense of mind. He will be missed by many, but mostly by, faithful wife, JoAnn; eldest daughter, Elizabeth Chambers (Jason); eldest son, Daniel Buchanan (Karen); two younger sons, David and Jack (Denise) Buchanan; 8 grandchildren; David, Jennifer, Donna, Jack, Jake, Hilary, Jeff, Thomas, Abby and Owen; 11 great grandchildren; multiple nieces and nephews; and one surviving sister, Mary Wilson.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 13th at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road. A viewing will be held from 6-8 pm, Monday, February 12th and one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. The interment will follow the services at Mountain View Cemetery.

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