Gary Robert Swanson

Swanson, Gary Robert
A man considered a Living Legend was lost to us on the evening of Tuesday December 7, 2010. Gary Robert Swanson, world renowned wildlife artist, loving husband, wonderful father, adoring Papa, and a great friend to all who crossed his path, passed suddenly and far too soon for those he leaves behind. Gary is survived by his wife of 47 years, Audreyetta; son Trevor Swanson (Jennifer) daughter Kimberly Swanson Clemmer (Tyler); grandchildren Connor, Devon, Nickalaus, Johnathan and Jakeb brother Arthur Swanson and sister Mary Dodge. Solace is taken in the knowledge that he was greeted at the gates of heaven with the open arms of his father, mother and brother. Gary Swanson was born in Alcester, South Dakota on March 17, 1942. He was raised on the family farm with two brothers, Ramon and Arthur and younger sister Mary. When his father passed away Gary was only 15. Soon after, the family moved to Southern California where Gary began to develop his sense of adventure and wanderlust. He lived in Seattle and Alaska expanding his skill in taxidermy and developing a love of the wild places that would come to drive his life and passion when he turned his attention to artistic endeavors. After many years as a taxidermist, Gary had developed a love, understanding, and passion for wildlife. With urging from his older brot her Ray, Gary took up the brush and worked diligently to portray his vision of the world through the medium of oil on canvas. Gary quickly earned a name for himself in the art world with his detailed depictions of the places he had been, traveling the world multiple times to experience first hand the beauty each place has to offer. Gary rose to prominence in his career both by personality and exceptional talent. He was known for his boisterous laugh, contagious whistle, and a welcoming embrace. He had a way of inviting people in to join him in his world of adventure that left everyone in his wake smiling. He was larger than life with a heart as big as the landscape he loved to explore, always curious..."I wonder what is on the other side of that mountain?" Pericles said, "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." Gary Swanson will be remembered most for what he has woven into our lives. If the measure of a man is how many stand up to say thank you at his passing, then Gary was an incredible man indeed. "I feel the loss in the world" a family friend said when struck with the news about Gary's passing. Those sentiments are shared by many.God blessed this earth with very few men like Gary Swanson, he will be missed. Memorial Service will be held in Phoenix on January 15, 2011. Details can be found on http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/garyrobertswan son.
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