Obituary of John Howard Swanson

John Howard Swanson, a long-time Tumwater resident, died Saturday, May 10, 2008 in Oro Valley, Arizona. John was born February 12, 1927 in Seattle, Washington, to Martha and Erhard Swanson. He spent his youth in the Skagit Valley and as a teenager worked on the construction of the Ross and Diablo Dams. He graduated from Foster High School in 1945 and was quarterback and captain of Foster’s championship football team. He also lettered in basketball and track. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou Jerde, in San Diego on June 8, 1945. Betty passed away in 1995, after John and she celebrated 50 years of marriage. After leaving the Navy, John worked as an airplane mechanic at Boeing, owned and operated two service stations in Burien and a bowling alley in Bellingham. In 1962, he began as a teller at Seattle Trust and Savings Bank and retired in 1986 as Vice President/Regional Manager of Thurston County and manager of the Tumwater branch. While at Seattle Trust, John was awarded the “Best Boss of the Year” several times from the American Institute of Banking. John gave freely of his time to the community over the years, including being Treasurer and Director of the Olympia Chamber of Commerce; President and Campaign Manager of The United Way; and Director of the Taylor Bishop Foundation. He was a long-time Tumwater Rotarian and Past President, and Director of the Thurston County Economic Development Council. John enjoyed spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and a large circle of friends. He loved to travel, cook, garden, collect fine wines, attend Husky, Seahawk and Mariner games, and spending time on his beloved wooden boat, the “Papa John”. He had a particular soft spot for children and animals. He was a very real people person, believing that everyone deserved to be treated with honesty, sincerity and respect. He always attempted and was successful at being compassionate and understanding with everyone he encountered. On January 7, 2000, he married Joan Gordon in Lacey. They resided in the Olympia area before moving to Oro Valley, Arizona in 2007. Survivors include his wife; son, Stephen Swanson (Kari); daughter Mary Strutzel (Eric); “special daughter” Debbie Gaetz (Tom); grandchildren Andrew Strutzel (Jenn); Evan and Elizabeth Swanson; and great-granddaughter Sienna Strutzel. He is also survived by Joan’s daughters, Susan Wright (Chuck) and Leslie Goodale (Helen), and son Mark Goodale. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 31, 2008 at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church in Lacey, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests giving generously to a charity of your choice.