Big Bay––Lawrence Richard Swanson, 75, of 209 Schneider, Big Bay, entered eternal life early Friday morning, April 25, 2008, at the Hospice Suite located at Marquette General Hospital.
Larry was born April 8, 1933 in Marquette, a son of Charles F. and Charlotte A. (Hammond) Swanson, the youngest of ten children. He was raised in Marquette and was a graduate of the Graveraet High School. Larry served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict, aboard the destroyer USS Shelton, making three tours of duty and receiving the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze combat stars, the Japanese Occupation medal, China Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Marquette where he joined the Marquette City Police Department, serving there from 1956 to 1960. Larry then moved to Boise, Idaho where he resided for 20 years. He returned to the area, residing in Big Bay, and was employed at Northern Michigan University as a carpenter. He retired in 1993. Larry was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor and, most afternoons, could be found with his friends at the LBJ in Big Bay. Larry was a member of the former Williams-Beerman Post of the VFW in Big Bay, the Richard Jopling Post #44 of the American Legion in Marquette, and was an 11 year veteran with the Army National Guard, Marquette.
Survivors include his sons, Charles (Cynthia) Swanson and Daniel (Cynthia) Swanson; and his former wife, Barbara (Lompre) Swanson all of Boise, ID; two step-daughters, Nancy (Don) McNeeley of Virginia Beach, VA, and Christie Reese of Boise, ID; step-son, Denny Reese of Twin Falls, ID; his grandchildren, Brandon, Cris, Kyle, and Katie Jo; five sisters, Marion Fleury of Marquette, Agnes TenEyck of Big Bay, Betty Haupt of LasVegas, NV, Phylllis Burgo of Grand Rapids, and Hazel Blankenfeld of Wrightstown, WI; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his second wife, Ethel; a son, Stephen Swanson in 2004; a grandson, Christopher J. Swanson; sisters, Mildred Carafelly and Doris Clark Price; and brothers, Frederick and James Swanson.
No services will be scheduled at this time. Larry often said he would like “four beautiful women” standing at his grave, weeping. A graveside service will be held this summer at the convenience of the family and will be announced. This obituary also serves as notice for those “beautiful women” to prepare.