Jerry Lee Buchan, 82, of Waterloo, died Friday evening, September 25, 2026, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home after spending the day with his family and closest friends. He was born on May 10, 1944, in Waterloo, the son of George and Tillie Thorne Buchan. Jerry graduated from West High School in 1962, and married Judith Nichols on April 12, 1969, in Janesville. He served in the US Army during Vietnam and worked as a machinist for John Deere, where he retired in 1996. Jerry and Judy were the proud parents of 4 children, 14 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Jerry was always joking and so much fun to be around. He loved his grandchildren and had affectionately given each of them a unique nickname. Jerry enjoyed watching college sports, especially basketball and football, and he was passionate about the Iowa Hawkeyes. In his free time he enjoyed fishing, and playing golf with his buddies early in the morning so he had the rest of his day for his family. Jerry loved fried chicken, Judy’s pudding; banana cream pie without the bananas, McDonald’s fries and DQ vanilla ice cream. After retirement, the highlight of Jerry’s week was Tuesday coffee with his best friend, Ted.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters,Tracy (Jeff) Jones of Traer, Tammy (Pat) Kayser of Jesup, and Terina (Mike) McVey of Hiawatha; son, Scott (Kristina) Buchan of Waterloo; grandchildren Andrew (Mikayla) Ryan, Olivia (Mitchell) Ireland, Abby (Randy) Cram, Allison (Jesse) Spitzner, Emily (John Berinobis) Meier, Adam Meier, Matthew McVey, Jonathan (Samantha) McVey, Kayleigh McVey, Jaydon (Kayla) Bartz, Dominick (Delaney) Buchan, Carter Buchan, and Cale Buchan; brother Ronald (Karen) Buchan; and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Elijah Jones; brothers George, Ray, Dean, Vernon, Paul and Larry Buchan; and sisters LaVonne Messersmith, Norma Jacobson and Kay Van Horn.

Funeral services for Jerry will be Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 10:30 am, at, Locke Garden View Chapel 3655 Logan Ave, Waterloo, with burial with military honors to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Locke Garden View Chapel for an hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions should be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lockefuneralservices.com.