Mr. Vernon Swenson

He was born October 14,1934 in Geary County, Kansas to Flossie A. and Roy A. Swenson. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Vern was raised on a farm in Kansas where he attended Antelope school, a one-room school house, through 8th grade. He graduated from Dwight Rural High School in 1952 then attended Kansas State University where he earned his BS in history in 1956. He spent the next 8½ years in the US Navy where where he flew S2F planes while serving on the USS Yorktown. He ended his naval career as a flight instructor In December 1962 he married Nancy (Claspy) in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1965 Vern moved his family to Los Angeles and began his career as a pilot with American Airlines. His favorite routes were to Hawaii and South America. He and Nancy moved to Vista, California in 1972 and were able to enjoy "country life" on one acre allowing for his daughters to participate in 4-H with horses, goats, chickens, pigs and rabbits. In his free time he liked to tinker on his Volkswagens and tractors. Following his retirement from American Airlines as Captain in 1994, Vern enjoyed road trips with his wife across the United States and Mexico, spending a few weeks a year in Dwight, Kansas. Vern was a member of the Masonic Lodge (60 yrs), American Legion (50 yrs), Allied Pilots Association, United Methodist Church of Vista and the Grey Eagles. Both Vern and Nancy joined the Senior Gleaners in 1998. In 2009, after Nancy's death, Vern began volunteering as a delivery driver for Meals on Wheels. On some occasions his grandchildren accompanied him gleaning and delivering meals. Vern adored his 8 grandchildren and gave them a taste of country living by teaching them to drive his tractor and having them help out around his property. Long after the "farm animals" were gone he indulged the grandchildren by re-stocking the chicken house with 8 hens. He proudly supported his grandchildren's activities by attending their various events. He is survived by his four daughters, Susan Butcher (Allan Butcher), Laura Mountain (Kelvin Mountain), Emily Hansen (Scott Hansen) and Amy Bartolotta (Jeffrey Bartolotta), eight grandchildren, and older brother Roger Swenson. Burial will be in Dwight, Kansas. Donations can be made in his memory to: The Senior Gleaners http://www.guidestar.org/profile/33-0571701 Meals on Wheels http://www.meals-on-wheels.org/ United Methodist Church of Vista, California United Methodist Church of Dwight, Kansas

Mr. Vernon Swenson

October 14, 1934 - March 29, 2016