NWA Capt. James Edward Swanson

 

…..this news comes to us from the retired Northwest pilots group…..please see link below to read full obituary online.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, NWA Capt. James Edward Swanson

March 19, 1940 – March 12, 2022

 

Dear Friends and Colleagues,  

I regret having to inform you that Captain James E. Swanson, age 81, died on

March 12, 2022 in Eagen, Minnesota. Jim was receiving hospice care due to a

long struggle with a lung disorder. He was an USAF veteran, having flown the

B-52 with Strategic Air Command. Jim's date of hire at NWA was 12/07/1967.

There are tentative plans for a Memorial Service to be head on March 19th at

Florence, Wisconsin. More details will be provided as they become available.

 Jim Swanson was a RNPA member and therefore will have an obituary posted on

the RNPA website shortly. Our condolences go to his wife Joan Swanson.

 Special thanks to Art Bein for much of this information.  

Respectfully,  

Bill Day

https://www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com/memorials/james-swanson/4878679/index.php

Obituary for James E Swanson

James Edward Swanson Swanson, James Edward age 81 of Eagan and Edina, MN passed away peacefully on March 12, 2022, after a valiant battle with COPD.

 

Jim was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan on March 19, 1940, to the late Edward and Vera (Fearing) Swanson. He grew up in nearby Florence and Wabeno, Wisconsin. Jim spent his high school years in Wabeno, active in almost every sport and school activity - basketball, football, band, choir, glee club, student council. Jim went on to attend college at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, joining ROTC and receiving flight training. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force.

 

On August 11, 1962, Jim married Joan Kuehni. They proceeded to live on several Air Force Bases in Oklahoma, Texas, and California, having babies while Jim trained to pilot B-52 aircraft. Jim quickly put his flight training to use when he was called to serve his country in Vietnam. Jim flew over 62 missions and earned four Air Force medals of honor. Upon completing his tour in Vietnam, Jim joined Northwest Airlines, moved his growing family to Minnesota and became a life-long commercial airline pilot/captain.

 

Though he had many exciting and exotic travels over his 34 years as a commercial pilot, Jim’s passion was fishing and hunting in “God’s Country,” spending time with friends and family at the lake home on Keyes Lake in Northern Wisconsin. He especially treasured his up north adventures with his lifelong friend Art, his brothers Ron & Don, sister Bev, and all of his extended Swanson family - Many a tall fishing tale was told! The grandchildren especially liked Grandpa’s updates on the elusive “Walter Walleye”. Jim was an avid fan (is there any other kind?) of the Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer’s - though he lived his last fifty years in Minnesota, he stayed true to his Wisconsin roots and teams.

 

Most importantly, Jim was a loving husband to Joan for 60 fun and eventful years and a devoted father to five children Wendy (Suk Won), Suzanne (Mark), Kristen (Steve), Anne (Tony), and John (Kelly), and proud Grandpa and “Pop Pop” to ten wonderful grandchildren Jay (Julie), Sean (Anne Marie), Alex (Elizabeth), Kate, Mikey, PJ, Chloe, Max, Mariza, and Zio. Grandpa never missed a choir performance, band concert, sporting event, or graduation and was his grandkids’ biggest cheerleader. He loved to make people laugh, was quick to give praise and encouragement, and continues to be a role model to us all.

 

Visitation will be Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home, 1025 Carpenter Ave., Iron Mountain, MI. A celebration of life will be Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home. A luncheon will take place immediately following the service. Interment will be held in late spring at Woodlawn Cemetery in Florence, Wisconsin.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the River Alliance of Wisconsin (wisconsinrivers.org).

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Jim’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Jim’s legacy of life.