Raymond L. Swanson Jr., 83

Raymond L. Swanson Jr., 83, of Eureka, passed away Monday, April 3, 2017, at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell of natural causes.

He was born Feb. 13, 1934, in Baker City, Oregon, to Raymond L. SR and Rowena Swanson. He grew up and attended school in Baker and graduated from Baker High School with the Class of 1952.

Raymond served in the United States Army starting in the early 1950s. He served in Korea and was wounded in action. He spent several months in an overseas military hospital. Raymond was awarded the Purple Heart, the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members who are wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. military.

In the late 1950s, he married Fern Lucille Oxford and they had three children. They later divorced and he married Donna Brock Crawford. Together they had one daughter and later divorced. Ray met Rosemary Gwynn in 1986 and they have been together for over 30 years.

Ray worked as a carpenter in Wyoming for a time and in the 1970s he moved to the Flathead where he worked as a logger. Ray retired in 1996. Ray loved his dog, who was his faithful walking companion every day. He enjoyed being outdoors, whether it was hunting or splitting firewood. He also enjoyed socializing at the VFW with his friends. He will be missed by all who enjoyed his friendship.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Penny; a brother, Ken; and a sister, Jodie.

Survivors include Rosemary Gwynn of Eureka; children Dan Swanson (Candy) of Spokane, Washington; Rick Swanson (Karen) of Spokane; and Sandra Collins (Chris) of Spokane; Butch Gwynn (Barbie) of Eureka; and four grandchildren BJ, Darcy, Rochelle and Brea and seven great-grandchildren.

Services for Raymond will be 1 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Eureka.

Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home of Eureka. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.