Kenneth Arthur Swanson

Mr. Kenneth Arthur Swanson, age 84, of Ocean Springs, MS peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2015, in Ocean Springs. Ken was born in Clear Lake, Wisconsin and joined the Army in 1946 where he policed in Germany. He was in the first platoon to go over to the Korean War, the 24th Infantry Regiment. After serving for ten years in the Army, he joined the Air Force and went into the Vietnam War. He served seventeen years in the Air Force. After retiring from the military, Ken joined the civil service and spent the last twenty years as a safety officer. This brought him down to Mississippi where he worked for the Naval Department as a warship safety officer. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening and was a member of the Hibernia Marching Society, Shamrock Club and Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree with St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Ken was preceded in death by his oldest son, Kenneth Swanson, parents, George and Anna Swanson, brothers, Albert Swanson and Norman Swanson and sisters, Margaret, Mildred and Anna Mae. Survivors include his beautiful wife of 62 years, Katie Swanson of Ocean Springs, a daughter, Therese Swanson and children, Katie, Chance, April, Samantha and Kenny, a son, Jim (Jennifer) Swanson and children, Brady, Austin and Lucas, a son, Roy (Nancy) Swanson and children, Cindel, Kayla and Alysa, two great-grandchildren, Jayden and Jensen and sisters, Marie and Evie. Visitation will be on Thursday, June 11, from 5pm until 8pm, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Friday, June 12, Ken will lie in state from 11am until 12 Noon, with a 12 Noon Mass of Christian Burial, all at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to the Knights of Columbus Council #5654, Ocean Springs, MS.