Roswell T. Swanson

Captain Roswell T. Swanson departed this life, at the age of 71, on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 2:31 AM. He was born on September 23, 1940 in Jamestown, New York to Roswell T. and Eleanor (Rosedahl) Swanson. At the age of three, after Roswell’s father was killed in the Battle of the Bulge, his mother married Carl R. Brown, who raised him.

Roswell served and retired from the U.S. Army, Military Police Corp in January of 1983 with 24 years of active duty. He also served as an Army Reserve Commissioned Officer beginning in 1967. After retiring from the Army, he worked both at the Phoebus Post Office, where he was a letter carrier, and part-time with Smith Floragift.

Captain Swanson graduated from St. Leo College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology; and from the Command and General Staff College (1979) in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. While serving in the military, Roswell earned several medals and awards to include; Bronze Star with OLC, Meritorious Service Medal , Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service, Professional Development, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Staff Service Medal 1st Class, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Military Police, Assistant Special Agent and Correctional Specialist.

He is survived by his wife, Shirlee; five daughters, Melanie Johnson, Janet Washburn, Robin West, Kimberly Tucker, Melanie West; his son, Carl T. Swanson; sister, Deborah M. Brown-DaPolito' and brother, John A. Brown, both of New York; ten grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Friday, January 27, 2012, from 11:30 am until time of service at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A celebration of Roswell's life will begin at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow in Hampton-Veterans Memorial Gardens.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23666.