Howard Bowman Swanson, Sr., 88, of Irwin County, died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Saturday, May 18, 2013, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with the Rev. Wayne Swanson officiating. Interment will follow in the Pine Level Church Cemetery, Ben Hill County. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 Friday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Swanson was born December 1, 1924, in Fitzgerald to the late Thomas Linville and Myrtle Mae Stokes Swanson. He lived in the community all of his life and was a farmer. He was a veteran of the Merchant Marines and served two years during World War II. He was a member of Pine Level United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years: Claudell Swanson of Irwin County; children: Debra & Don Hickey of Mystic, Howard Swanson, Jr. of Irwin County and Kathy & Mike Rutherford of Irwin County; grandchildren: Jessica & Tim Pope, Rebecca & Adam Carroll, Howard “Bo” Swanson, III, Saralynn Swanson, Ashley & Travis Blanchard, Brittney Rich, Brandi Rutherford and John Rutherford; great-grandchildren: Peyton and Brady Carroll and Caitlun Blanchard; a sister: Martha Nell Brown of Savannah and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.