Obituary for Michael Anthony Buchanan Sr.

On April 26, 2019 By besonstIn Obituaries

Photo of Michael Buchanan — Michael Buchanan

Michael Anthony Buchanan Sr., 61, died April 12, 2019, in Fayetteville. He was born February 19, 1957, to Carl and Dorthy Buchanan.

He was a graduate of Fayetteville High School and earned an associate’s degree. He was a generous, warm hearted individual who always had a smile on his face. He was so passionate about sports that he umpired and refereed games all over Northwest Arkansas. Michael was always a joy to be around and his humor and positive attitude always lit up the room.

Friends and classmates recalled his “kind and caring nature, and his ferocious competitive spirit and talent.” On the football team, his jersey was No. 1, and he played like it. He also ran track and field.

His long-time friend, Greg Flowers, was born three days earlier than Michael and died two years ago. Back in 1964, Flowers and Buchanan attended a Boys Club summer camp just before first grade. Greg called Michael “mashed potatoes” and Michael called Greg “gravy.”

Survivors included two sons, Micheal Anthony Buchanan Jr. and Tyron Mahone, and one daughter, Miranda Reamy. His service was held Saturday, April 20, at the Church of Christ in Fayetteville.

Reunion Photo 1996

On October 27, 2016October 26, 2016 By besonstIn Earlier Reunions

The group who showed up at the Fayetteville Hilton for the 20th anniversary reunion.

Grade 4, Washington Elementary

On October 26, 2016October 26, 2016 By besonstIn Grade School Pictures

wash-elementary-1968-web

Mrs. Phelps’ fourth-grade class during the 1967-68 school year at Washington Elementary.

Front row, from left: Emmitte Watson, Stephan Trachant, Sam Featherston, and Michael Jackson.

Second row: Genie Gunn, Kathy Bell, Ada Atha, Michael Vanderlip, Jennifer Jacks, Jackie Audrain, and Selina DeForest.

Third row: Jerry Gilbow, Becky Riggs, Harold Hutton, Melissa Upchurch, Nikki Kirkton, Debbie Drake, Mark Bassett, Randy Schmidt, and Mrs. Phelps.

Fourth row: Billy Cunningham, Regina Smith, Barbara Lacey, Michael Buchanan, Kathy Wagnon, Eddie Logue, Chris Reynolds, and Matt Holtzen.

Courtesy of Becky Riggs

Large Group

On September 27, 2016May 26, 2018 By besonstIn Yearbook Images

Mrs. Mary Jane White takes her turn at the stand during her last semester on the senior English large group team.

Aaron Karp seems to be taking notes but look closely at how much he has written down.

Mike Bihn explains to Mrs. Kathy Roy why he was late to large group while Steve Yancey thinks up a good excuse.

Duane Spears, Tony West, Mike Buchanan and Read Hudson found that tilting the wheel helped their team in a senior English large group game.

High School Nap Time

To the casual observer, large group was a room full of 50 to 150 students — some sleeping, some taking notes, some reading day old assignments and others daydreaming the hour away.

For the students it was an inevitable part of the high school experience, since large group formed an integral part of all English classes as well as psychology, history and accounting.

Most students learned to place each large group session into one of four categories and looked forward to the class with anticipation or dread according to its classification. These were 1) the filmstrip, film, record category including W.C. Fields films and broken filmstrips, 2) the note taking period complete with the date Emily Bronte’s sister’s dog died, 3) the guest speaker, 4) the games, so aptly recalled by Nicky Gyles.

“I feel the large group system stands on a basically sound theory. However, one aspect of large group did cause me emotional anguish. Games involving singling out certain individuals and the social ridicule which followed was quite exasperating, especially when it happened to me.”

According to Mrs. Kathy Roy, senior English teacher, the purpose of large group was to allow speakers to talk to all the students at once as their schedules might not permit them to speak to each class individually. Large group also enabled teachers to shae the work load of offering lectures and showing filmstrips.

“We are not here to entertain,” observed one teacher.

Student opinions, on the other hand, were mixed.

“It’s a good idea,” said John Horn. “One advantage is that it breaks the routine. Students find it boring because it’s to formal and teachers often have uninteresting presentations.”

“Large groups are beneficial when they are used for speakers, film strips and things like that,” pointed out Kathy Bell, “But at times they could be very boring.”

— 1976 Amethyst

Promotion of Black Students

On September 21, 2016July 9, 2018 By besonstIn Student Organizations

pbs-group — Front row, from left: Jo Ann Lackey (reporter), Cathy Carr (secretary), Tommie Flowers (treasurer), Pam Miller (president), Belinda Blackburn (vice-president), Angela Childress (service chair). Second row: Vicki Thomason, Darlene West, Sheryl Mahone, Thomas Carr, Theo Thomason, Donna Hammilton, Nina Rolloff. Back row: Madalyn Brown, Lisa Buchanan, Judy Mahone, Ray Thompson, Henry Childress (historian), Michael Buchanan, Mrs. Betty Smith (sponsor).

pbs-record-player-web — Lisa Buchanan plays records for the PBS Christmas party.

In its second year at FHS, Promotion of Black Students adopted as its year-long project fundraising for the fight against sickle cell anemia. Sponsored by Mrs. Betty Smith, history teacher, the group also sought money for a scholarship for a senior.

Social functions included a dance and fashion show with clothes provided by participating merchants. Proceeds from a soul food dinner went to the sickle cell anemia drive. Prior to Easter, the club took day-care children on an egg hunt.

Mrs. Betty Smith tries a new approach at teaching American history through simulation games.

“I like being in PBS,” said Jo Ann Lackey, “because it helps other people out and it makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something.”

—1976 Amethyst

Football Team

On February 18, 2016October 26, 2016 By besonstIn Athletics

Bulldog Football Team, 1976

Front Row, from left: Michael Buchanan, Jimmy Luper, William Kimbrough, Phil Harrison, Calvin Tacket, Daran Johnson, T.R. Stewart, Gip Gibson, Mike Smith, Bobby Fitts, Kenny Harriman.
Second Row: Michael Jackson, Gene Geren, Joe Cravens, Nathan McKinney, Charles Duell, George Niblock, Joey Rodman, Lester Niblock, Bobby Martin, John Horn, Andy Lucas.
Third Row: Brian McGreevy, Mark Springer, Randy Williams, David Jackson, Steve “Country” Jones, Billy Frank Harrison, Jeems Love, Darrel Carr, Bill Gatewood, Wayne Jenkins, Dwaine Spears, Gary Ricks, Mike Patrick.
Fourth Row: Victor McPherson, Joe Bond, Kim Agee, Steve “City” Jones, Bill Tyner, Steve Baird, Lewis Moore, Mike Garner, Milton Scott Woelk, Bruce McLeod, Danny Ward, Jim Elliot, Bobby Waterson, Tim Smith.
Fifth Row: Coach Doyne Davis, Coach Ken Ramey, Coach Whit Fowlkes, Vernon Wayne Mitchell, Brooks Clower, Read Hudson, Darrell Strange, Ned Parette, Brett McLeod, Gary Streigler, Coach Larry Parnell, Coach Carl Fox