Guy H. Buchanan

Guy Hatcher Buchanan was born in Decatur, AL in 1926, the youngest of five children. He died peacefully at his home Sunday, March 9, 2014. He moved with his family to Fayetteville, TN at an early age. His first love for sports was developed there where he was a football standout at Fayetteville Central High School. He served the the U.S. Air Force until 1947. Guy graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and played on the football team. As a guard for the MTSU Blue Raiders, he played on the 1949 undefeated season. Guy Buchanan served as the Wayne County principal, girls basketball coach, football coach, biology teacher, and athletic director from 1951-1993. Coach Buchanan was selected to be inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 1994. He was selected for the Hall of Fame because of his outstanding contributions to high school athletics during 42 years as a coach, teacher, and administrator. Toward the end of his outstanding career, he notched over 500 wins in girls basketball and 83 wins in football. His 1973-1974 girls basketball team finished the regular season with a perfect record, going on to become the first WCHS girls team to play in the state tournament. His outstanding record in football earned him TVC Conference Coach of the Year in 1963. He led his football teams to several high school bowl games including the Catfish Bowl 1954, Crockett Bowl 1959, Natchez Trace Bowl 1962 and 1965, and Barrell Bowl 1980. Other outstanding accomplishments include Jaycee Distinguished Service Award in 1974, TSSAA Distinguished service Award 1980 and Rotary Hero Award in 2007. The Waynesboro community showed their support for "Coach Buck" by naming the WCHS football stadium "Guy H. Buchanan Stadium" in 1983.

Coach Buchanan was instrumental in the establishment and operation of the Mid-Tenn Basketball Camp held at WCHS for over 16 years. His genuine love of young people and his desire to see them reach their full potential in life has helped countless numbers of lives over the years. After retirement in 1993, Coach spent time with his beloved wife, Betty and enjoying time with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by a son, Barry K. Buchanan and wife, Jill of Muscle Shoals, AL,
a daughter, Cathy A. Crews and husband, Mickey of Lawrenceburg, TN, four grandchildren, Hope Crews Daniels and husband, Heath, Hannah Crews, Jake Buchanan and Kent Buchanan, two great grandchildren, Haybree and Huntley Daniels.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Buchanan was preceded in death by his wife, Betty J. Morris Buchanan, a sister, Dorothy Jane Buchanan, three brothers, Pryor, Bob, and Jack Buchanan.

Services will be Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 3:30 PM at Wayne County High School Gymnasium, Waynesboro, Tennessee, with Cal Hampton and Coy Anderson officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in the Memorial Gardens, Waynesboro, Tennessee with Shackelford Funeral Directors, Wayne County, directing. Pallbearers will be Ricky Buchanan Bryant, Jerry Merriman, Allen Barnett, Coy Anderson, Rob Rains, Charlie Hasting, Paul Coggins, Heath Daniels. Honorary pallbearers will be Babe Staggs, Joe Gobble, Jasper McWilliams, Dexter McWilliams, Gailand Grinder, Chris James, David Collie, Greg Seitz, James McWilliams, Ronnie Yeiser, and Jay Morris.

Visitation will be Monday, March 10, 2014 from 4 pm to 8 pm and Tuesday, March 11, 2014 from noon to 2 pm at Green River Baptist Church, Waynesboro, TN.

The family wishes to extend heart felt thanks and gratitude to Kay Nutt and the other special caregivers for all their love, care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Coach's name to the Wayne County High School Athletic Department or Green River Baptist Church, Waynesboro, TN.