Kenneth Eldon Swanson

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He loved singing and leading worship services, a passion he passed on to the rest of the Swanson family, who all learned to make a joyful noise.

Kenneth E Swanson, 96, of University Place, WA, passed into his heavenly home at 11:30 AM on October 31, 2026. A celebration of life will be held on January 2, 2027 at Temple Baptist Church at 1108 Columbia Ave, Fircrest WA (19th St, Tacoma) at 1:00 PM.

Ken was born December 25, 1929, in Port Gamble, WA, the third of five children born to Arthur and Signe Swanson. He grew up on a family farm in Port Ludlow (Swansonville), WA where he helped with chores and the milk deliveries from a young age. The entire family was quite musically inclined and Ken learned to play the clarinet and sing. His voice became his instrument of choice, and he had a lifetime passion for singing in his clear tenor voice.

Ken graduated from Chimacum High School in 1948 and attended the University of Idaho on a football scholarship. While there, he met Shirley Keeling at a church youth group. After his freshman year, he transferred to the University of Washington and continued his studies at the School of Forestry. He and Shirley were married in Clarkston WA on March 29, 1952.

After completing ROTC and his Bachelor of Science in Forestry, Ken served in the Army as a lieutenant. He was stationed in Virginia and Japan to prepare for deployment to Korea. The Korean Armistice was signed while Ken, Shirley, and their young daughter Selinda were in Japan, and he was subsequently honorably discharged without having seen combat.

After completing his military service, Ken began his career in the timber industry with West Tacoma Newsprint in Steilacoom WA. Over the years, he worked for numerous timber companies, including Boise Cascade, US Plywood, Champion International, International Paper, and Commencement Bay Mill-Simpson Timber Company. Ken & Shirley lived in several homes in University Place before settling in their old white house, on West 19th Street, where they lived for fifty years. He loved the outdoors and everything about the forest, particularly its wildlife and the opportunities it provided for hunting.

Ken and Shirley were blessed with two daughters and two sons, Selinda (Sindy), Scott, Sara, and Keith. He was devoted to his church and family, and family vacations often included church camps. He also looked forward to the annual hunting trip to Twisp WA where he spent time with his dad, uncles, cousins, brothers, and sons. He loved the outdoors and delighted in hunting, fishing, hiking and camping as well as sharing stories and memories around the campfire.

Ken loved their family’s beach home in Port Ludlow, where he developed a lifetime love of fishing in the surrounding waters. The cabin was the setting for many treasured family memories. Ken was known for his Swedish pancakes and loaves of homemade bread. He found happiness in the outdoors, whether in the woods or on the water, but singing may have been his greatest joy. He loved singing and leading worship services, a passion he passed on to the rest of the Swanson family, who all learned to make a joyful noise.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; his brothers Donald and Myron; and his sister, Doris Jean. He is survived by his brother H. Allen (Valerie); sister-in-law Nancy; and his four children, Sindy (Tom), Scott (Lynn), Sara (Mark), and Keith (Emily). He was also dearly loved by his ten grandchildren and seven adoring great-grandchildren.

The entire family is grateful to the caregivers and staff of the eliseo care center and his friends throughout his church communities. He was cared for with such love!

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your church and other favorite charities.