Sharon (Thompson) Buchanan

EULOGY
Good Afternoon, I am Mark Wagner, Husband of Paula Wagner, a lifelong friend of Sharon.

Sharon was born to Ed & Evelyn Thompson in Tulsa on April 17,1949.  Along with many other children in Skiatook, Sharon was a “Russell Street Kid”.  Russell Street seemed to epitomize what was later known as the “Baby Boomer” generation.  In the late 50’s & 60’s there were 45 children growing up on just the 1st 2 blocks of Russell Street.  They lived a block from the park & the swimming pool.  They played in the street, in back yards, front yards, and railroad tracks.  The girls played Jacks & Hopscotch on Sharon’s front sidewalk and as observed by Patty Stout Park, the Thompson’s had the only front sidewalk that ran directly from the street to the front porch.  Sharon was an only child with a doting Father so she had the first of every toy that came out during that time, from the pogo stick to the first skateboard, which she shared with all the other kids.

Sharon was an accomplished dancer and a member of the Skiatook Soonerettes and the Dance Showcase of Tulsa.  Sharon’s cousin, Kathy Thompson, also a Russell St. kid, has fond memories of Sharon teaching her how to dance on the front porch of Sharon’s house.  You can say that Kathy’s successful career in dance started on that front porch.

Sharon was also an excellent student and was the Valedictorian of the High School class of 1967.  She attended Okla State University where she was on the Dean’s & President’s Honor Rolls.  She was able to continue her love of dance when she was chosen as a Varsity Review girl at OSU.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

After graduation, Sharon married Brent Buchanan and moved to Houston, TX where Sharon worked for the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and later, Gulf Oil Company.  After the birth of their son, Matthew Ryan Buchanan in 1985, Sharon became a stay-at-home Mom.  Years later she worked in administration for the Klein Forest High School in Houston.  Eventually, Sharon moved to The Woodlands, TX and worked at College Park High School until her retirement in 2012.

During her years in the Woodlands, Sharon became close friends with Brenda Quiroga and Greg Steinbock.  Brenda was her neighbor and Sharon and Greg worked together at College Park.  Sharon enjoyed traveling with Brenda to places like Lake Tahoe and Cozumel.

Sharon had suffered many illnesses over the past 5 years, but she was a fighter, showing great resilience and determined to remain self-reliant and independent to the end.  Brenda and Greg helped Sharon thru these most difficult times in her life.  Greg would keep Sharon’s dog, Kate, during her many visits to the hospital.  He has Kate with him today.  Greg was instrumental in helping her to remain independent by running her errands, taking care of her house and visiting doctors with her.  But mostly Sharon enjoyed his company.  He could always make her laugh with his unique sense of humor.

Sharon passed away on March 8 at Memorial Herman Hospital with Brenda, my wife Paula and me at her side.

Her desire was to be brought back to Skiatook and laid to rest in Osage Garden Cemetery beside her Mom and Dad.  The music you hear today was of her choosing.  She especially liked Josh Groben and his song “The Prayer” which we will hear now, followed by any of your shared memories of Sharon.

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