Weldon Bernard Swanson

Weldon Bernard Swanson went home to be with the Lord Jesus on October 14, 2024. He was born December 19, 1931 in Tacoma, WA. He left high school to enlist in the US Marine Corps and was a sergeant during the Korean War in radio communications. Upon returning to Seattle, he attended Seattle Pacific College (now SPU). He met his future wife, Elly Ziepke, at Ballard Baptist Church. They were married in 1960, and raised three children in the Ballard and Shoreline communities. He was employed by Seattle City Light, starting as a meter reader and then as a consumer consultant. Several years later, after taking early retirement in his 50’s, Weldon decided to return to work, and did many types of things before working in the grocery department at Fred Meyer in Shoreline for 20 years. He retired from that job on his 80th birthday.

Weldon loved music, and loved singing praises to God, including putting Bible passages to music. He played the piano by ear, sang tenor in a number of choirs, and instilled the love of music in his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed hiking and led family members on overnight adventures to one of his favorite lakes in the North Cascades, Lake Hozomeen. He enjoyed flying and had a private pilot’s license.

Weldon’s life-long desire was for people to know the love of Jesus. He volunteered numerous hours with Gideons International distributing Bibles, often on college campuses, talking with students about their need to know the love of God. You could recognize Weldon because he always carried a small Gideons’ New Testament in his shirt pocket. He was a student of the Bible, teaching himself Greek so that he could interpret Greek New Testament, comparing it to English for greater understanding, and would share his wealth of Biblical knowledge with family and friends.

Weldon is survived by his three children Karoline (Nick) Scarpelli of Seattle, WA, Stephen (Talia) Swanson of Wasilla, AK, and Melita Terrien of Mill Creek, WA, grandchildren Josh, Amy, Tim, Victor, Erica, Katherine, Hunter, Samantha, Madison, Ellyana, and four great-grandchildren, James, Shepard, Olivia and Elisha. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elly, of 36 years, his sister Geraldine Soper, his infant granddaughter, Alexandra, and his son-in-law, Troy Terrien.

A memorial service will be held November 9, 2024 at 4pm at Tabernacle Baptist Church; 16508 8th AVE NE, Shoreline, WA 98155. Donations may be made in Weldon’s name to Gideons International, or to Philanthropia Adult Family home in Seattle where he received wonderful care from 2021 until his passing.