Franklin Talmadge "Tal" Buchanan Jr.

Franklin Talmadge “Tal” Buchanan, Jr., 68, of Bonita Springs, FL (and formerly of Bristol, TN), passed away in the presence of his loving family on September 9, 2024, after an unexpected illness. Tal was born on August 5, 1956, in Bristol, VA, to the late Dr. Franklin T. Buchanan, Sr. and Marjorie Haas Buchanan. He had been a resident of Bonita Springs since 1979. Tal graduated from the University of Virginia in 1978 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and then relocated to Florida. Upon moving to Bonita Springs, Tal began his life work as a PGA-certified golf professional and instructor. His successful career spanned more than 40 years and began at Spanish Wells Country Club, where he became the long-time, well-loved Director of Golf. Tal would go on as a golf pro and instructor at numerous Southwest Florida championship golf courses, including Heritage Bay, Palm River, Cypress Woods, Arrowhead, and Palmetto-Pine. Tal had a great passion for teaching youth golf and earned love and respect from the kids he taught, many going on to play and compete professionally themselves. Throughout his life, Tal organized, headed, and participated in innumerable golf events and programs catered to children, including the Southwest Florida Junior Golf Association, youth golf programs, summer camps, and lessons. Tal was a golf professional by trade, but he was a great lover of sports by nature. He knew almost everything there was to know about professional and college sports from the past century and was a lifelong, diehard Atlanta Braves fan. Tal loved to fish, often spending hours or sometimes days on the water, and enjoyed being a charter captain in his younger days. An incredibly brave man, Tal sought out enjoyment in unexpected places. Not long ago, he rode his Honda VTX1800 motorcycle daily, rain or shine; he jumped out of an airplane to skydive more times than he would admit to most of his family members; and he attended an impressive number of live rock concerts with the stories to tell of them. His bravery was only surpassed by his kindness to everyone he encountered. Tal was a good-hearted friend and neighbor, a caring mentor and teacher, an adoring father, and the most proud PawPaw(grandad) on the planet. Tal’s humor, heart, wit, and warm presence will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. Tal is survived by his loving daughter, Dani Buchanan Birg (Roman) of Kent, WA and granddaughter, Aurora Jade Birg. He is also survived by his brother, George C. Buchanan (Nikki) of Greenville, SC and his five nephews; Dustin Todaro, Mitchell Buchanan, Blake Buchanan, Connor Buchanan, and Thomas Wilke, as well as 6 grandnieces and grandnephews. A Memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, October 4, 2024, at Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 Tamiami Tr. S., Bonita Springs, FL 34134 To sign his guest register or to leave online condolences please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Franklin Talmadge "Tal" Buchanan Jr.

August 5, 1956 - September 9, 2024