John W. (Jack) Swanson

Born to Ture and Mary Swanson February 19, 1934 in Seattle, WA, passed away September 19, 2008 in Spokane, WA.  Jack is survived by his brothers Don (Bobbie) Swanson, George (Jody) Woodward, sisters Patty (Merril) Wickham, Penny Meiers, his children and their families Sue (Chris) Bell, Dan (Tawnya) Swanson, Pat (Allison) Swanson, Mary (Sean) McNabb.  Also his wife of 22 years Gunhild and her children and families, Dani Morlan, Garvin (C.J.) Morlan, Chris (Melanie) Morlan, Barbie (Mike) McGlothen, 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  Jack graduated from Deer Park H.S. in 1952 and then joined the US Marine Corp in 1953 where he served in Japan. He was proud to be a Teamster in Local 690.  He was a member of the Bloomsday Roadrunners Club, the Marathon Maniacs, and the 100 Marathon Club.  He traveled all around the country running races, including 200 marathons and ultra marathons, and 31 of 32 Bloomsdays. His special places were Hawaii and the Pacific coast, where he enjoyed running, camping and hiking.  Jack was a lover of life and full of passion in all that he did.  In his younger years he enjoyed riding and racing dirt bikes with his children, boating, building model ships, collecting antique bottles, and 31 years of involvement with the local running community, volunteering at numerous races, cross country and track meets, and Bloomsday events.  Jack lived a healthy lifestyle and enjoyed a level of fitness exceptional for his age until he lost his battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations “in memory of Jack Swanson” to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Washington and Alaska at 530 Dexter Ave. N. Suite 300 Seattle WA 98109 attn. Bonnie Brooks, or via LLS.org., or to The Lance Armstrong Foundation at LAF.org
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 1:00 pm at Decades, located behind Percy’s at University City Center, 10502 E. Sprague.