Clarence "Art" Swenson

October 22, 1924 - December 10, 2011

Clarence "Art" Swenson Obituary (Age 87) Passed away December 10, 2011. He was born October 22, 1924 in Wainwright, Alberta, Canada and was raised in Deary, ID, graduating in 1942 from Deary High School. He served in the US Army, stationed in the European Theatre during WWII. He was awarded the Purple Heart and numerous other medals. After his honorable discharge, he received his private pilot's license in 1945. He married Darlene Gronning of Tekoa, WA on September 1, 1951 in Coeur d'Alene, ID. They lived in Moscow, ID and San Diego, CA, settling in Spokane in 1955 to raise a family. He worked at Geiger Field and Fairchild AFB as a Civil Service carpenter for almost 30 years. Art's love of aviation ranged from flying to building his own amphibian and rebuilding numerous antique planes which eventually turned into a part time "job". He was a member of Independent Order of Foresters; one of the founders and lifetime member of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 79 in 1960 and participated in various scouting activities with his children. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Darlene of Spokane Valley; son Mark (wife Marsha) of Spokane; daughter Marie (husband Doug) Walker of Bellingham; son Kevin (wife Kelly) of Gulf Breeze, FL; brothers Floyd Swenson of Moses Lake, WA and Roy Swenson of Spokane; seven grandchildren Paul Swenson, Kristen Griffin, Kayla Manning, Markeven Swenson, Andrea Swenson, Kalynda Walker and Jonathan Walker; two great-grandchildren Kyra Griffin and Brayden Swenson. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Eunice Swenson and sister Viola Helm. Memorial Service 2PM Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at Heritage Chapel. Inurnment to be at Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake. Memorial contributions may be made to INW Honor Flight, 608 W. 2nd Ave, Suite 309 Spokane 99201; Spokane Guild School & Neuromuscular Center, 2118 W. Garland Spokane 99205 or E.A.A. Chapter 79, P.O. Box 11132 Spokane 99211.