During the evening of April 27, 2022, Carl O. Swanson Jr. passed away peaceably after a period of declining health. Carl was 91 years old. His beloved wife of over 69 years, Jean, passed away on May 10, 2022. He is survived by sons Steven and David, their respective spouses Regina and Vivian and three grandchildren: Christina, Scott and Michelle. Carl’s son, John, passed away in 2019.
Carl was born and raised in Wenatchee, Washington. Carl loved Wenatchee and had many good friends, but he was restless and wanted to see more of the outside world. After graduating from High School, Carl enlisted in the US Army as part of a special program that required 1 year of active duty followed by a 6-year inactive reserve commitment. After completing his active-duty, Carl enrolled as a student in Washington State University (WSC) in Pullman, Washington.
At WSC, he majored in Police Science and entered the Army ROTC program. He also pledged and became a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Social Fraternity. It was a great experience. One of his fraternity brothers was future National Football League (NFL) player and coach LaVern “Torgy” Torgeson. Another fraternity brother was future college football coach, John Elway Sr., father of NFL star John Elway. Carl attributes his greatest WSC experience to meeting his future wife, Jean.
Carl completed his studies at WSC with a Batchelor’s degree and as a ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate. As such, he received a Regular Army Commission as a second lieutenant. Jean and Carl married in December 1952 and soon moved to Fort Lewis, Washington for Carl’s first active-duty assignment as an officer. His oldest son, Steven, was born during this period.
Carl’s next assignment took the family of three to Fort Richardson, Alaska in 1956. Here is where his son, John, was born. Just after Alaska became a state, the family traveled to Lansing Michigan so that Carl could get a Master’s Degree in Police Science from Michigan State University.
After a year in cold, cloudy Michigan, the family moved to Augusta, Georgia for Carl’s assignment to sunny, warm Fort Gordon. Carl’s third son, David, was born here. This was an exciting time for the family and they greatly enjoyed being around the water. Carl bought his first boat which was previously-owned and had a 50-horsepower outboard motor. During his lifetime, Carl bought more than ten boats. He and Jean loved being on the water together with their three boys.
In the years following Fort Gordon, Carl and his family moved back and forth within the Continental United States. In 1968, the family moved to Heidelberg, Germany in order for Carl to join the 7th Army Staff in the Office of the Provost Marshal General. The following year, Carl was assigned to Frankfurt, Germany where he took command of the 709th Military Police (MP) Battalion.
In 1970, Carl was posted to South Vietnam where he took command of the 504th MP Battalion. His headquarters was the furthest base west of Da Nang and it was very close to the Demilitarized Zone border with North Vietnam.
In 1971, Carl returned to the Washington, DC area to serve in several Army Commands until his retirement, including:
• Office of the Army Provost Marshal General.
• Headquarters, Army CID Command
• Headquarters, Army Corps of Engineers
• Army Discharge Review Board
During his 30 plus year career, Carl rose to rank of full colonel. He retired from the Army in 1983. He kept busy in retirement by working on a second house located near Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The house was on
an acre of land on a salt water creek that empties into Rehoboth Bay. Dad took his new role of General Contractor seriously. He attended many community college courses in carpentry, electrical wiring and plumbing. The house began in a very modest way, i.e., it had only 1 bedroom/bathroom and a small kitchen/living area. Carl finished the interior with the help of Jean.
From 1987 to 1992, Carl led a team of hired help and his son, Steven, in expanding the house, now known to the family as “The Cabin.” The house now has 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 2-car garage and an enclosed porch that has an impressive view of the surrounding water and marshland. Such surroundings are best enjoyed from on the water. Carl bought several boats over the years to take advantage of this location. He and Jean liked nothing more than to hop on a boat a take a relaxing cruise.
Carl got his greatest pleasure by being around his family. In the early years, Jean and his three boys bought him great joy. When his grandchildren arrived, he and Jean were loving, indulgent grandpa and grandma. Carl lived a full life and touched everyone he met in a positive way.
A memorial service for Carl and Jean will be held at the Fairfax at Belvoir Woods on May 24, 2022 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to your favorite charity in Carl’s and Jean’s name. A reception will follow at noon. The address is:
Fairfax at Belvoir Woods
9140 Belvoir Woods Parkway
Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060
Telephone: 703-799-1200
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