ALTA VISTA, Kan. – Frankie Jay Buchman, 73, Alta Vista, Kan., passed away Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, with family at his side. Born Jan. 19, 1951 in Council Grove, Kan., to Clarence E. and Laura Mae Buchman, “Wannabe Cowboy” Frankie grew up working in Buchman’s Grocery riding his stick horse, attired in cowboy hat and boots with toy six guns at his side, wishing for a real horse. In the sixth grade he got his first real horse and was active in saddle club and 4-H.
In 1969, Frankie graduated from Council Grove High School with an accomplished FFA career including FFA Chapter, State and American Farmer degrees, as well as many newswriting contests and FFA chapter and individual honors.
Frankie graduated from Kansas State University in 1972 with a B.S. in agriculture education. He was a member of the Kansas State University livestock, meats, dairy and wool judging teams and on the K-State rodeo team, as well as being a writer for KSU Agriculturalist.
While at KSU, Frankie met and married Margaret Mary (Gronau), Aug. 21, 1971, in Newton, Kan. They moved to their current ranch near Alta Vista, completing their degrees at KSU while starting a ranching operation.
December 1972, Frankie was hired as Grass & Grain editor, photographer and advertising salesman, spanning 36 1/2 years. He trained outside horses, while growing a beef cow/calf herd and broodmare horse operation. The family had 25 horse production sales, hosted more than 23 livestock judging field days, and initiated the State FFA Horse Judging Contest.
He was accredited by six state horse show groups to judge horse shows across Kansas, and judged in 12 other states across the country after being accredited by four national horse breed organizations.
Frankie started a weekly syndicated spiritual reflections column “A Cowboy’s Faith,” which was published weekly in newspapers, magazines, and websites. He also wrote and had published a column “For the Love of Horses” reflecting his love of horses and the horse industry.
A competitive horse show exhibitor for years, Frankie was a member and officer in EKHA, NEKSAG, KWHA, KSHSC, and NBHA, as well as local clubs – Santa Fe Trail Saddle Club, Blackjack Saddle Club, Junction City Saddle Club, Valley Falls Saddle Club and Douglas County Trail Riders.
In 2009, Frankie joined WIBW-580 Radio-Alpha Media, where he sold advertising for 12 years. For the past two years he was a pen rider at J.C. Livestock Sales Inc., and wrote and produced a short radio spot “Roamin the Range” five days a week on KFRM 550 radio.
Frankie was a dedicated member of the Kansas Horse Council, Morris County 4-H Foundation, Morris County Youth Rodeo Association, Morris County Fair Board, Flint Hills District Extension Board, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Parish Council, and taught CCD classes and was a 4-H project leader.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence E. and Laura Mae Buchman (Davis). He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Margaret Mary; son, Tyson (BJ); daughter, Jennie (Larry Wilburn); grandson, Wyatt (Shyanne Allen); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.
Rosary and visitation was Dec. 18, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Council Grove. Mass of Christian Burial was followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery, Council Grove.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Morris County 4-H Foundation, Kansas Horse Council, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Morris County Youth Rodeo Assn., or Kansas FFA Foundation and sent to Sawyer Funeral Home, PO Box 275, Council Grove, KS 66846. May he rest in peace. Condolences can be left at sawyerchapel.com.
