Big brother (8 years my senior), friend, advisor, team mate, opponent, coach: all terms that describe my relationship with William Arthur Buchanan better known as Bull Moose. Why better known as Bull Moose? Because as he described himself, “I act like a bull and look like a moose. I always called him “Bull”.

He will always be my big brother, but highlights of a few special events for those years from age five to age twenty-six in my life are still vivid in my mind. I may be a little bit off on my age, but each event and my brother’s response to me should be pretty close.

  • Age five – The death of my parakeet was a tragedy to me. Bull described this as burial at sea as he flushed him down the commode. He provided a little humor to my turmoil.
  • Age six – How about my brother babysitting me at the local basketball court. To ensure my safety, he tied me to a pole while he and his friends played competitive basketball. I was going nowhere and I had a great view of the exciting basketball action.
  • Age seven – I still remember Bull and Marilee handling my inappropriate behavior with quick action and a remedy that worked. A call to Santa Claus was necessary, and I still remember the dialogue they used with Santa on the phone, “Santa, John is being bad, and maybe you shouldn’t bring him any toys this year. I’ll let you know if he acts better.” I remember a quick change in my behavior.
  • Age nine – This is when Bull gave me my famous nickname, Johann. Loralyn was giving me piano lessons and Bull jokingly associated my playing with Bach and Brahms. He started calling me, “Johann”. From that came “Yo”, “Yogi Bear”, “Yo-yo” and other derivatives that have been my label through life.
  • Age eleven – Bull set me up with one of his girlfriend’s younger sisters. We went on a hayride together. I believe this was my first real date.
  • Age twelve – Bull had a tough experience at Pitt University and decided to try the military. I remember him advising me at this time, “I hope you will learn from my mistakes.”
  • Age thirteen – Bull was off to Vietnam. I can still remember Mom’s worry and concern. Although Dad didn’t say much, I know he was worried, too.
  • Age fourteen – A telegram is received by Mom and Dad. By Mom’s reaction, I fear my brother has lost his life in Vietnam. Fortunately, I learned that he had only a head injury and that he would be receiving a Purple Heart.
  • Age fifteen – I hear some strange noises down in the basement from Bull and one of his friends. I go down and Bull gives me my first opportunity to taste beer. Fortunately, I hated it.
  • Age sixteen – Bull and I begin playing chess with each other. It becomes a real battle with a game occurring almost every evening. The match score is very close in the neighborhood of 31-28. I remember Bull’s celebration with some of the victories in the shower with a chorus of “When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain”.
  • Age eighteen – Bull has made the big step and got married. It was a special event, because it was a dual wedding with one of Bull’s friends. I was there with Mom and Dad.
  • Age nineteen – Bull is now one of my coaches on the college football team. Having him around for support makes a big difference.
  • Age twenty – Bull has become the father of a little girl named Andrea. He is very proud and there is a sparkle in his eye. He also has taken up the art of being an electrician with his father-in-law, Harry. This is a very special relationship.
  • Age twenty-one – Bull has created a softball team for the Greene County Softball League and he has asked me to be on the team. I am an outfielder and Bull is a first baseman.
  • Age-twenty-two – Bull and I are playing basketball together in the Church basketball league. This time I have started the team and I have invited Bull to join.
  • Age twenty-three – Bull makes me a special electrical cord to use with my gospel groups. I am still using the chord in 2005.
  • Age twenty-four – Bull is the best man at my wedding on July 16, 1977. He is very supportive.
  • Age twenty-five – I have a fainting episode at a dartball match resulting from a little splinter. Bull is there to catch me as I stumble. I can see the concern in his eyes. I truly appreciate him now more than ever as a big brother.
  • Age twenty-six – I am in Bobtown visiting a Child Care Center when I receive a phone call from our neighbor. He announces to me that my brother has had a heart attack and died. Would I please come home? That drive home was tough, but the rest of my life would be even tougher. There was now a great void in my life. I had lost my big brother.