John
John L. Swenson Jr
d. February 16, 2014
1918~2014
John L. Swenson Jr. was born July 2, 1918 the second child and oldest son of John Lewis and Naomi James Swenson. He died Feb. 16, 2014 of causes incident to his age. He was born in Tooele, Utah and was a resident of Provo, Utah at the time of his passing.
John spent his childhood years on the family ranch near Grace, Idaho. He rode a horse to a one-room schoolhouse for the first 8 years of his education. He was the only child in his class, and thus was double promoted and made part of a graduating class of 3. Following this modest beginning he was able to travel the world extensively, and visited most of Europe, Scandinavia, and several countries in Africa.
John loved the land. As a child his only desire was to be a farmer, but his parents insisted that he be an educated farmer. He graduated from BYU with a degree in Agronomy in 1941.
On April 20, 1942 John was offered a job with the soil conservation service in Yakima, Washington. At the time he was dating Verlaine Beardall of Springville. They had been dating since Christmas Day, and decided to marry before John left for Washington. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 28, 1942. Verlaine passed away on June 1, 2004.
John worked for the USDA until his retirement on Dec. 31, 1977. After his retirement he worked as a consultant for several companies. He spent one year mapping soils in Tanzania, Africa.
John and Verlaine were blessed with four sons, Allan (Alice), Gary (Brenda), Randy (Lynn), and Hal (Kathy). Allan passed away in 2013, and Randy in 1984. His posterity also includes 19 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren. He stood as a righteous patriarch over his family, and never faltered in his example.
John was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served faithfully in many capacities, including Bishop of the Roosevelt Ward and as a counselor in the bishopric and member of the High Council in Springville. John and Verlaine served a mission in the St. George visitor centers, and he was set apart by James E. Faust as the Presiding Elder of the country of Tanzania during the time they lived there.
The family extends sincere appreciation to Brighton Hospice and the staff of Cove Point Retirement Center. Dad was treated with kindness and respect by the people responsible for his care.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 11 a.m. in the Springville Stake Center, 245 S 600 E, Springville, UT. Viewings will be held on Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E 200 S, Springville and Saturday 1 hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at www.wheelermortuaries.com.
John L. Swenson Jr. was born July 2, 1918 the second child and oldest son of John Lewis and Naomi James Swenson. He died Feb. 16, 2014 of causes incident to his age. He was born in Tooele, Utah and was a resident of Provo, Utah at the time of his passing.
John spent his childhood years on the family ranch near Grace, Idaho. He rode a horse to a one-room schoolhouse for the first 8 years of his education. He was the only child in his class, and thus was double promoted and made part of a graduating class of 3. Following this modest beginning he was able to travel the world extensively, and visited most of Europe, Scandinavia, and several countries in Africa.
John loved the land. As a child his only desire was to be a farmer, but his parents insisted that he be an educated farmer. He graduated from BYU with a degree in Agronomy in 1941.
On April 20, 1942 John was offered a job with the soil conservation service in Yakima, Washington. At the time he was dating Verlaine Beardall of Springville. They had been dating since Christmas Day, and decided to marry before John left for Washington. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 28, 1942. Verlaine passed away on June 1, 2004.
John worked for the USDA until his retirement on Dec. 31, 1977. After his retirement he worked as a consultant for several companies. He spent one year mapping soils in Tanzania, Africa.
John and Verlaine were blessed with four sons, Allan (Alice), Gary (Brenda), Randy (Lynn), and Hal (Kathy). Allan passed away in 2013, and Randy in 1984. His posterity also includes 19 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren. He stood as a righteous patriarch over his family, and never faltered in his example.
John was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served faithfully in many capacities, including Bishop of the Roosevelt Ward and as a counselor in the bishopric and member of the High Council in Springville. John and Verlaine served a mission in the St. George visitor centers, and he was set apart by James E. Faust as the Presiding Elder of the country of Tanzania during the time they lived there.
The family extends sincere appreciation to Brighton Hospice and the staff of Cove Point Retirement Center. Dad was treated with kindness and respect by the people responsible for his care.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 11 a.m. in the Springville Stake Center, 245 S 600 E, Springville, UT. Viewings will be held on Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E 200 S, Springville and Saturday 1 hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at www.wheelermortuaries.com.
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