Thomas Earle Buchanan, 90 , of Sheridan passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at Sheridan Manor.

He was born 5th of June 1918 in Ord, Nebraska to Thomas Shedrick Buchanan and Edna Mabel Barnes. Six weeks after his birth, he and his mother returned to their ranch on Powder River near Moorehead, Montana.

The family moved to Sheridan in 1930 after he attended grade schools in Powder River County, Montana and Midwest. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1937.

He began his career with Sheridan County Electric and was a power plant operator for Montana Dakota Utilities Company at Acme for forty-one years before retiring in 1981.

Earle married Mary Gray Lane in Billings, Montana on May 25, 1945 and they celebrated their fifty years of marriage in 1995. Mary Gray preceded him in death in 2001.

Earle was initiated into the Big Horn Mountain Masonic Lodge 43 in 1942 and was a member of the York Rite, Kalif Shrine, and the Sheridan Elks Lodge. He was a life member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and former President of Local 646. After retirement Earle was active in the local AARP chapter, volunteered at the Fulmer Library, and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was a member of the Sheridan County Historical Society and actively researched his family genealogy for fifty years.

He is survived by his son, Ted Buchanan, and daugther-in-law, Suzanne, of Gillette, WY; daughter, Nancy Talbott, and son-in-law, Sam, of Sheridan; five grandchildren, Matthew Talbott of Casper, WY, Tanya Wise of Douglas, WY, Jason Buchanan of Denver, CO, Mike Talbott of Saint Marys, GA, and Marci Talbott of Norfolk, VA. There are three great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, William Hall Buchanan and baby brother, Lyle Lavere Buchanan; and one great-granddaughter.

At his request there will be no services. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be in the Sheridan Masonic Cemetery. Kane Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Memorials in Earle’s name may benefit the Shrine Children’s Travel Fund, Box K, Sheridan, WY 82801.

SheridanMedia.com - November 19, 2008