Ray Swanson

RAY SWANSON Ray Swanson, 93, resident of Barnsdall, died Monday January 14, 2013, at his residence Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday January 18, 2013, in the First Baptist Church in Barnsdall, Oklahoma with Bro. Mark Farr officiating. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Barnsdall American Legion Webster-Schrack Post # 227. Interment will be in the Ethel Reece Cemetery under the direction of the Stumpff-Barnsdall Funeral Home. Ray Swanson was born March 12, 1919 at Barnsdall, Oklahoma to Bart R. and Ludie B. (Soward) Swanson. He grew up in Osage County and lived in the area all his life. He was married to Edna Norrine Endsley on December 3, 1941 at Barnsdall. Mr. Swanson entered the U.S. Army in 1942 and served at the Battle of the Bulge, the European Theater, and the Normandy invasion all five major ground battles, he received five battle stars, one Silver Star and one Bronze Star. Mr. Swanson was a member of the 90th Division, “Tough Obres”. He served with the French Foreign Legion and served under General George Patton’s 3rd. Army. Mr. Swanson returned to Barnsdall after his honorable discharge in 1945. He was employed at Gilley’s Service Station in Barnsdall before becoming employed with Cities Service Oil Company at Talent, Oklahoma where he worked for four years. He started his employment with Petrolite Company in 1950 and retired in 1981. Mr. Swanson was a member of the First Baptist Church in Barnsdall, the Masonic Lodge, the American Legion and V.F.W. also of Barnsdall. Survivors include one son; Jerry Swanson and his wife Patricia Lynn of Barnsdall; two daughters Carolyn Little of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and Cynthia Morris and her husband Walter of Barnsdall; one son-in-law Frank M. Muller Jr., of Galveston, Texas; two brothers Loyal Swanson of Barnsdall and Everett Swanson of Dewey, Oklahoma; two sisters Vivian Lewis of Joplin, Missouri and Ernestine Montgomery of Barnsdall; ten grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Swanson was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one daughter Sharon Muller; three brothers Jesse, Lynn and Voyd Swanson; two sisters Vera Thompson and Pearl Smith. Friends who wish may sign the online guest book and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org PDF Printable Version

Ray Swanson

March 12, 1919 - January 14, 2013