James Buchannan

Outdoorsman, sportsman, beloved husband, father and grandfather, Captain James Buchannan of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, died on Dec 20, 2021. Jim was 87.

Jim and his wife Lois moved to Downey in 1963, and they were married for “a wonderful 61 years, 7 months and 6 days.” Jim grew up in Huntington Park where he excelled in pole vaulting and won an athletic scholarship to USC. In 1984 he ran the Olympic Torch thru Downey. Jim served two years in the Army in the Korean War and then with the Huntington Park Fire Department until 1971 when L. A. County assumed fire protection. He completed 30 years as a Captain with the L. A. County Fire Department, retiring in 1989.

Jim was active in the Boy Scouts in Downey and a member of the Downey Fly Fisher’s club for many years. He and Lois had a second home in Wyoming, a three story log building that had been his dream since boyhood. He loved snowmobiling, fishing and varmint hunting. The house held many family memories, as well as fishing and hunting trophies, and his gun collection. He also collected Native American pottery, clocks, and Civil War memorabilia.

Jim was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and always supported Lois in her many community activities. He leaves his wife Lois, three children, 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grand-children. Although Jim had been in ill health recently, he was able to tell Lois exactly how he wanted his services to be conducted, with his grandsons and friends leading the prayers, remarks and eulogy. That service was held Dec. 28, at the LDS church, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department sent a fire truck to honor him. Jim was interred in Riverside National Cemetery.

The Fire Department’s Flag Raising Ceremony in his honor has been postponed till it is safer to do so. Donations may be made to Alisa Ann Buch Burn Foundation, 500 N. Hill Ave, Unit 305, Pasadena CA 91106.