Alan "Lanny" Swanson

On August 8, 2024 the world lost an amazing man.  Alan (Lanny) Swanson, was born April 5, 1946. He was a son, husband, Dad, and friend to many in this world.  His warm personality, generosity, and quick-witted sense of humor were a delight to all who knew him. We grew up together at Calvary Baptist Church in Warren, Pennsylvania. We were also baptized at the same time when we were preteens. He first held my hand when I was fourteen and that led to an on and off romance until we were 20 when he became my husband. Our marriage was solid, joyful, and spiritually uplifting.  We lived in Longview, Texas where our three wonderful sons were born, Brett, Stephen, and Danny.  In 1991 we moved to Fort Collins, Colorado.  He was a Godly Dad who taught our sons to know and follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

Lanny was CEO of Swanson Companies in Longview, Texas. He owned and operated a motel there, and had many real estate investments. He was honored to be a deacon at First Baptist Church and served on the board of directors at Letourneau University.  In Colorado he was employed at Care Housing as Property Manager until a stroke in 2007 led to his retirement.  He loved life in the Colorado mountains, hiking, ice skating, and picnicking along the river near Estes Park where we spent much time. He often said that he has never been bored, even in recent months when his disabilities confined and immobilized him. Recently, he befriended his caregivers and led them to faith in Jesus as they viewed our church services together on TV. 

He is survived by his wife Karen, three sons, 5 grandchildren and two siblings, Jim Swanson and Barbi Swanson McCullough. He treasured his family and the memories they shared over the years. He adored his amazing sons and told me that there was nothing that made him happier than when they could be together.  For the last two years of his life, he met weekly with his son Stephen, and on Fridays for many years, with his son Danny. He spoke often with Brett his son from Texas.  God blessed us with five grandsons, Oliver Cole, Eli, Jonah, Charlie, and Blake. How he loved those amazing grandboys! God also gave us three lovely daughters-in-law Elizabeth, Thalyta and Lizzie.   

Lanny was relationally motivated, treasuring friendships even as far back as his best friend Charles (Chuck) Foster from Warren, Pennsylvania where he grew up. They remained close and in touch over the years. He was proactive in developing relationships with friends of all ages. Many years ago, he began a weekly donut gathering that is still going today. He always said, “Don’t wait for people to call you, call them or nothing will ever happen.”   He cared about marginalized people befriending a homeless young man named Anthony, and nurturing him spiritually for an extended time. He often engaged others McDonalds, conversing, sharing the gospel and purchasing food for them. He enjoyed visiting elderly friends at care facilities and was loyal until they passed. Two years ago, God blessed us with a baby girl named Symphony, to care for. She is a joy and delight and he loved her from the minute he first held her.

We often discussed Heaven and what it would be like to be there. He is there now, in the very presence of Jesus fully healed from the deficits of his stroke. He is walking the streets of Heaven without limping, and hugging his parents Clarence and Velma Swanson, my parents Don and Lola Wagner, his grandparents Ima and Orval Albaugh, and Charles and Amelia Swanson, and his brother-in-law Dennie who passed recently.  I can hardly wait to see Him again.  And, he would hope and encourage all of you reading this to trust in Jesus Christ to forgive your sins, so we can all be together soon in His presence. 

With Love, Karen his honored wife of 56 years.