James O Swanson
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James Oliver Swanson, Lt. Col. USAF (ret), of Camano Island, Washington, passed away peacefully at Skagit Valley Hospital with family by his side on November 27th at age 89.
Born in Seattle to Oliver and Daisy Swanson, Jim joined the Navy Reserve at age 17, graduated from Ballard High School, attended the University of Washington and was accepted into the US Air Force's Officer's Candidate School where he was commissioned as an Officer on completion of Cadet Flight Training in Laredo, Texas in 1955. Upon his commissioning he married the love of his life, LaWanna Fern Doty of Yakima, Washington and was stationed to Ramstein, Germany. He served as a frontline jet fighter pilot through the rest of the 50's and early 60's before being assigned as a flight instructor with the Air to Ground Operations School at Hurlburt Field in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. During this time Jim and Fern brought 4 sons into the world and started a life of travel and adventure in his various duty stations over the years. While stationed in Florida he had a tour in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller in support of the 1st Airborne Cavalry Division from 1965-66, where he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star among other awards. After Florida and his tour in Vietnam, he and the family were stationed in Alaska for 5 wonderful years, where he served as commanding officer of the 25th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Eielson AFB from 1971-73.
Jim instilled the joy of travel and adventure in his family with cross country and Alaska wilderness camping trips, fishing, hunting and skiing. His last tour in Germany 1974-1977, was a wonderful opportunity to explore Europe and ski the Alps with his family. On retirement in 1980 he returned to Camano Island with Fern where he resided until his passing.
While retired, Jim was busy as ever with home expansion and remodels, working with his friends Steve and Norma at P Ponk Aviation on Camano, sea cruises with Fern, fishing trips with family and friends to Lake Conconully and Curlew Lake, clam digging at Ocean Shores and enjoying his growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Later in life, when his actual flying came to an end, he joined the Snohomish Radio Aero Club and spent many happy years building, flying and exhibiting Radio Controlled Aircraft. Above all he remained a proud USAF veteran and supporter of our military.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ollie and Daisy and is survived by his adoring wife Fern, their sons James E. Swanson and his wife Deborah of Honolulu, Hawaii., John K. Swanson and his wife Kathy of Camano Island, CMSGT USAF (ret) Jeffery A. Swanson and his wife Dyena of Pocatello, Idaho, and Jerry M. Swanson of Camano Island, plus 5 grandchildren - Justin Swanson, Julianne Vollans, Jessica Swanson, Jeffery Swanson and Rocky Swanson, and 9 great-grandchildren.
His legacy and memory will live on in these generations. He was, and will always be, our hero.
In lieu of flowers, we ask you to donate to the Veterans support organization of your choice.