It is with sadness that the family of John Swenson announces his passing on May 18, 2021, at the age of 97. He was born in the Decker community on a family farm outside of Austin, Texas on April 12, 1924. His parents Titus Edward Swenson and Julia Anderson Swenson preceded him in death, and also his sister Marguerite Johnson, his brothers Ed Swenson and Leonard Swenson and his nephew Steve Swenson.
John attended school for seven years in a two room schoolhouse and graduated from Austin High School in 1941 and entered the University of Texas. College education was interrupted by WWll and he spent almost three years in the Army Air Corps as a gunner on an A26 bomber in the South Pacific. He then returned to the University of Texas and received his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. While at The University he met another student, Mary Grann, and she became his wife for 71 years.
After graduation, he was employed by the General Electric Company as an engineer in Power Generation and after a dozen assignments in Chicago, New York and places all around, they returned to Texas and made their home in Dallas in 1956. Although he continued to travel for assignments, they never moved from Dallas again. He had a “love affair” with turbines and power generation and was a father figure to many of the engineers working with him.
After 38 years, he retired from GE and enjoyed many years of golfing, traveling, and woodworking, making furniture for home, friends and Church. He was a man of strong faith and an active member of Central Lutheran Church for 68 years.
John is survived by his wife Mary, son Mike and wife Patti, son David and grandson John and wife Carolina. Nieces Julie Parish and husband Mike, Elaine Swenson, nephews Richard Johnson and wife Paula, and Don Johnson and wife Mary Margaret. He has been blessed with many cousins, great nieces and nephews and all called him Uncle Johnny.
Graveside Services, for family only, will be held on June 22, 2021, at the DFW National Cemetery at 1:15 pm. Please park in lane #2 at the DFW National Cemetery, upon arrival no earlier than 30 minutes prior to the start of the service. The Memorial Service will begin at 3:00 pm at Central Lutheran Church.
If desired, memorials for John may be directed to:
Central Lutheran Church Memorial Fund
1000 Easton Rd.
Dallas, Texas 75218,
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