Harry Leon Buchanan

Harry Leon Buchanan, 101, of Helena, Mont., formerly of Big Fork, Mont., died Tuesday, June 11, 2013, in Helena.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 28, at Retz Funeral Home in Helena, with a small reception to follow at the funeral home. A Graveside Service with military honors will follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison, Mont.

He was born Jan. 14, 1912, in Stanley, N.D., to Isaac and Nellie Buchanan. The family moved to Poplar when he was 5 years old. He graduated from Poplar High School in 1932. In the fall of 1940 he moved to Great Falls and worked at the Home Oil Refinery. Soon after in 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1945.

He married the love of his life, Opal A. Johnson, at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point on Nov. 18, 1945. Together they had one daughter, Donna Kay Stone. They moved to Seattle, Wash., for a year while he went to Vocational Baking School. They then moved to Minneapolis, Minn., and attended Dunwoody Baking School to continue his education. Harry and his family have also lived in Wolf Point, Chinook, Frazer, Big Fork and Helena.

He is preceded in death by two brothers, Virgil Buchanan and David Buchanan.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Opal Buchanan of Helena; one daughter, Donna Stone of Helena; a grandson, Andrew Stone; one sister, Mary Binkley of Helena; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Harry’s name may be sent to Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation; P.O. Box 80807; Billings, MT 59108 or to Christikon Lutheran Bible Camp, 1108 24th Street West, Billings, MT 59102. To offer condolences or share a memory of Harry, please visit http://www.retzfuneralhome.com.