Everett Allan Swanson

EVERETT ALLAN SWANSON, born January 22, 1933 in Duluth, Minnesota, was welcomed into this world by his parents, Elof and Tilly, and sister, Margarie. When just a toddler, the family of four moved to Seattle, WA where Everett and his sister, three years older, were raised on 31st Avenue. Everett grew up with his dog, his bike, and his gun. He would rather play ball in the neighborhood, than pursue academic achievements. (Would say he left that to his sister!) Everett’s first job was delivering papers for the Seattle Times and the Seattle PI. He took his job seriously, and even trained his dog to get the papers if his throw missed a porch. He saved his money to buy a car. Everett’s cousins, Muriel and Bob Erickson, were a bit older so Everett, and his sister “Margie", looked up to them. When Everett was 15, cousin Bob purchased a new car and asked Everett if he would like to go for a ride. Having Everett alone, Bob asked him why he didn't profess. Everett always said being asked this question changed the course of his life. He professed in Mabel Gibson's Gospel meeting the very next opportunity he had. Two years later, Everett was baptized at Milltown convention with his friend, Bob Dye. In 1950, Everett graduated from Garfield HS and moved, with his family, from Seattle to Southern California, where he worked as a cook in his parent’s restaurant while attending San Jose State University. At 21 years of age, Everett heard the call to labor in the Lord's harvest field. After talking with Jack Carroll, Everett began in the ministry in Oregon in 1954. His cousin Bob was his first companion. Everett remained faithful to his calling into the ministry and had 66 years to share the Gospel. His ministry was an inspiration to many both locally and also in other countries where he had the privilege of visiting. When no longer able to maintain an active role in the ministry, Everett was welcomed into the homes of Larry and Karen Eoff in Kent, WA and later Rex and Donna Butler in Woodland. When Everett’s condition became such that Hospice was recommended, he moved to Woodland Care Center where he lived for four months, passing just three days before his 91st birthday. The staff at Woodland Care Center loved him, his kindly way, and his sense of humor. Everett did his best to comply with their requirements but did break the “house rules” by getting down on his knees to pray. They were afraid he would hurt himself getting up or down but Everett continued to demonstrate that the place of prayer meant more to him than they could understand. The staff reported that they found him “on his knees at his bed in the praying position” just four days before he died. Everett was preceded in death by his parents and his sister.

Tributes

Everett Allan Swanson

January 22, 1933 - January 19, 2024