John N. Swanson, a 32 year resident of Lopez Island, died Sunday, February 4, 2007.

He was born in Montesano, Washington on December 22, 1930, the son of Eva and Gust Swanson. John lived in Hoquiam, WA and graduated from Hoquiam High in 1948. He attended one year of college at Ellensburg and then enlisted in the United States Navy.

Following his military service, John completed four years of college at the University of Washington, where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. Upon graduating from the University of Washington, John was employed with Peter Kiewit & Sons, where he worked for many years.

He came to Lopez Island in 1975, where he first built his home; and then he and his wife, Audrey, started Swanson Construction Company in 1976. John worked steady in construction until 2006, when he became ill with esophageal cancer.

John was preceded in death by his brother, Harry Swanson. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Swanson; son, Brian Swanson; daughter, Lorraine Swanson; grandsons, Brian Swanson, Jr. and Joey Anderson; sister, Mary Drill of Oregon; and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007 at Center Church on Lopez Island with Reverend Morrie Dalton officiating. Interment was at Lopez Union Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Lopez Senior Center, PO Box 154, Lopez, WA, 98261. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and San Juan Islands. To share memories of John, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.