|
Charles Kenneth Swanson, "Chuck", as he was known to friends and family, left us tragically on Monday, June 21, 2010. He was born August 29, 1950, in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he lived until moving to California in 1972 and where he later met his wife of 35 years, Bonnie. Chuck lived with his wife in Modesto, CA and owned Design Metals, a metal fabrication business in Ceres, CA for the past 23 years. He graduated from Rio Grande High School in Albuquerque, and attended the University of New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth "Charlie" Shephard of Farmington, NM; mother Margaret Swanson, of Modesto, CA; and sister Sandra Lierley of Montrose, CO. He is survived by his wife Bonnie; son, Scott Swanson of Los Angeles, CA; daughter, Melissa Swanson Fifield and son-in-law, Eric Fifield of San Francisco, CA; mother-in-law, Betty Miller and father-in-law, William Miller of Tracy, CA; sister, Betty Prince, of Leander, TX; brother, Guy Shephard of Farmington, NM; brother-in-law Bill Miller of Stockton, CA; sister-in-law, Beverly Hall and her husband Robert Hall of Valley Springs, CA; and numerous friends and family in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and California. He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Jack. Chuck was a methodical and passionate private pilot and loved his adventures flying around the western U.S. He enjoyed traveling to the Oregon sand dunes, playing (and fixing) his sand rail (and anything else with wheels and an engine). He never let pass an opportunity for a clever joke, or a chance to tell his wife and children how proud he was of them and how much he loved them. He was Treasurer of the Modesto Area Pilot's Association, a member of the Elks Lodge, and a former President of the Association for Facilities Engineering. A celebration of his life will be held at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson, California on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Civil Air Patrol Lt. Col. Arthur King Composite Squadron 50, P.O. Box 1434, Modesto, CA 95353-1434 and the Community Hospice Foundation, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.
|
