Henry Frederick Swanson

SWANSON, HENRY F., died Tuesday Jan 10, 2012, in Orlando, FL, at age 88. Born in 1923 the son of Arthur and Henrietta Swanson in Eustis, FL. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Billie Marwick Swanson. He is survived by a son and wife, Dr. and Mrs. Henry X. Swanson of Newark OH; a daughter and husband, Dr. and Mrs. RD Gregory of Wilson, NC; a grandson and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Swanson of Piqua, OH; grandson and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gregory of Los Angeles, CA: granddaughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Harding of Ada, MI, granddaughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Cary of Marshall, NC; and six great-grandchildren, Nate, Ryley, Savannah, Sam, Bennett, and Adair. After receiving his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Florida, Henry came to Orange County in 1948 to work for the Orange County Agricultural Extension Service. He began as a 4-H agent and later became the County Extension Director. A true "public servant, he became a champion of water and land conservation and was frequently referred to as the Jeremiah of the citrus belt. For his work he received numerous awards including induction into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, Florida Dairy Hall of Fame, the Florida Horticultural Hall of Fame, the Superior Award by the Celenese Corporation for education in the field of environmental matters; the Sunshine Award by the Florida Professional Journalistic Society, and the Golden Orange Award by Florida Citrus Mutual. Henry was an active member of the Rotary Club of Orlando including over 50 years perfect attendance and received the Paul Harris Fellow award. He was a member of 1st Presbyterian Church, Orlando, since 1948 serving as deacon and elder. He was active in United Way and served as county chairman. Henry wrote several books including Citrus Bagman, Landmarks of American Policy, Countdown for Agriculture, and two editions of Butterfly Revelations outlining his 20 plus years of observing the migratory patterns of Red Admiral butterflies. A memorial service will be held Saturday, 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Orlando. Donations in Henry's Memory may be made to the Rotary Club of Orlando, Winter Park Towers Memory Unit, Vitas Hospice, or First Presbyterian Church, Orlando.

Arrangements under the direction of Carey Hand Cox-Parker Funeral Home, Winter Park, FL.