Donald Ralph Buchanan

Donald Ralph "Donnie" Buchanan stepped peacefully into Glory to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, in Oklahoma City, OK, surrounded by his beloved family. Donnie, born July 15, 1969, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, was the son of Donald Lewis "Donnie" Buchanan and the late Belinda June (Blair) Buchanan. He and the former Ms. Rene` Rae Roach were united in holy matrimony on February 27, 1992, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. To this marriage were born two children, Donnie Blake Buchanan, and Kayla Rene` Buchanan, of whom he was extremely proud.

Donnie grew up in McAdam, New Brunswick, Canada, graduating from Harvey High School, Class of 1987. After high school, he attended community college where he studied drafting. At the age of fourteen, he began working for Robert Mackay at his garage, eventually running the business under Robert's supervision.

In 1995, Donnie & Rene` moved to Hennepin, OK, due to him becoming employed with Task Research Company at the Ardmore Airpark in Gene Autry. Being a self-taught engineer, Donnie quickly became intrigued with this industry and his career flourished. While at the Airpark he built simulators for the Hollywood Entertainment industry. His work appeared in major theme park rides such as "Back to the Future" and in Disney's Hollywood Studios "Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular".

In 2004, Donnie became the president of AvTask, and he and his family moved to Wright City, MO. It was there that he and his company specialized in refurbishing rotor blades for helicopters, most specifically the Army's CH47 Chinook. Donnie was also instrumental in designing and fabricating the "Magic Box" that is used to store and transport rotor blades. His time with AvTask allowed him to travel the world promoting his company, as well as working on rotor blades and related items involved in aviation.

In 2017, Donnie stepped down as president and became a Special Projects Manager for AvTask, allowing he and his family to return to Hennepin, the place that Donnie loved. Hennepin was home to him, and he loved every aspect of this little town. He especially loved his church and its people, United Pentecostal Church, and was proud to be a part of designing its renovation and new construction a few years ago.

In 2019, Donnie was diagnosed with cancer. It may have created a few bumps in the road of life for him, but he never let it get him down. His courageous spirit and approach to his cancers was nothing short of amazing. Being deeply rooted in his faith, Donnie approached each new diagnosis and each new day with a positive attitude and did whatever it took to keep going. He pursued every type of treatment he could find. His tenacity and desire to overcome cancer was simply amazing and encouraging to those around him.

Donnie truly had his life priorities in perfect order. He loved his Lord and Savior above all. Second to that was his family, whom he absolutely, without a doubt loved. His beloved family brought him immense joy. Then came his beloved friends. Although his life was cut short to just 56 years, those years were packed full of success and memories.

Away from work, Donnie enjoyed his life of ranching, doing machine fabricating and woodworking. He also cherished spending time with his family traveling and cruising.

Donnie is survived by his father, Donnie, of McAdam, New Brunswick; his loving and devoted wife, Rene` Buchanan, of Hennepin, OK; his son, Donnie Blake Buchanan & wife Maci of Pittsburg, TX; his little angel, Kayla Buchanan, of Hennepin, OK; and his mother-in-law, Judy Roach.

Those preceding Donnie in death include his mother, Belinda; his infant brother, Dean Edward Buchanan; his father-in-law, Rev. Ray Roach; maternal grandparents, Calvin & Ida Blair; and his paternal grandparents, Ralph & Sue Buchanan.

A service to celebrate and honor the courageous life of Donnie Buchanan will be held Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at his beloved home church, the United Pentecostal Church of Hennepin, at 11:00AM. Pastor Shawn Phillips will officiate the service. A second service and interment will be held in McAdam, New Brunswick, Cananda. Details of that service will be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that memorial donations be made to the United Pentecostal Church, PO Box 68, Hennepin, OK 73444.

Services are "entrusted to" Hale's Funeral Home of Davis.

Online condolences can be offered at halesfuneralhomes.com.