Austin Michael Buchanan, 17, was born July 1, 2009, in Lakeland, Fl, and left this earth far too soon on October 3, 2026. Seventeen years could never have been enough for those who loved Austin, but he made sure there was a whole lot of life packed into those years.

Austin was fast and furious, goofy, loving, compassionate, and completely himself. He loved drag racing, motorcycles, video games, RC cars, mudding through the woods, fishing with his brother, and spending time with his homies in the Sweet Bay parking lot. If it involved an engine, some dirt, or a lot of speed, Austin was probably there.

At only 17, Austin was already the CEO and Lead Mechanic of Priced Rite Transmissions, a business he was building alongside his father and mother. It was a dream built together with love, passion, and hard work.

His dad wasn’t just his father. He was his best friend. His mom meant the world to him. And to his sissys and brother, Austin was deeply loved and will forever be their baby brother.

Anyone who met Austin loved him. He had plans, dreams, and so much more life he wanted to live. But in his seventeen years, he packed in races, fishing trips, family vacations, muddy trails, roaring engines, late-night laughs, parking-lot hangouts, inside jokes, and more memories than could ever fit on this page.

Austin is survived by his loving parents, Michael and Rosemarie Buchanan; his siblings, Thomas Aponte, Angelina Aponte (Jim Bayer), Anamaria Aponte (Eric Crims), and Amanda (Matthew) Higbie; his nieces, Aniah-Stahr Crims-Aponte and Baby Crims-Aponte; his grandparents, Jean Buchanan, Bill Glisson, and Roy Buchanan; his uncles, Peter Tirone Jr., Alex Gorski, Abdiel Negron, Jason White, and Chino Ortiz; his godparents, Peter Rivera and Renee Rogers; his great-aunts and great-uncles, Jean Rogers, Rosemary (Rocky) Otazu, and Larry Tirone; along with many cousins, great-cousins, extended family, friends, and homies who loved him tremendously.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Peter Sr. and Laura Tirone, Grandma Dot, Grandpa Robert Bartz, and Aunt Joan.

Austin Michael Buchanan was only 17, but he lived. And he was so very loved.

A viewing will be held Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Mall Hill Road. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by his burial at Socrum Cemetery 3125 West Socrum Loop Rd.

Come comfortable. Feel free to wear khaki shorts, racing shirts, hats, and don’t forget the Crocs.