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Gary Swanson Obituary
Gary was born on Sept. 30, 1933, in Middlebury, Vt., to Valdemar and Barbara (Repecko) Swanson. He moved to Aspen, Colo., during his senior year of high school and graduated in 1952. He served in the Army during the Korean War and was discharged in 1953. He continued his education at the University of Nevada Reno. After spending time in southeast Alaska, he relocated to Klamath Falls in the early 1970s. From 1978 to 2006 he was proprietor of the Yankee Peddler bicycle store.
Gary was an exceptional athlete for most of his life. He was an especially gifted skier, having won many awards and scholarships. He was also a fiercely independent person, choosing to take most of life's challenges on by himself. He'll always be remembered for his generosity and there are many stories of his willingness to help others even at his own expense.
He is survived by his son, Bergen; two grandchildren, Grant and Oona, and his niece, Summer. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Valdemar.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Swanson
3 Entries
Deanna Barrier
December 28, 2019
I don't know why Gary came to mind today. I have not lived in Klamath Falls for almost 18 years. My husband and I enjoyed visiting Gary and talking archery or bicycles. He was a good guy and very generous. RIP Gary. My husband is in Heaven. I can imagine you both up there with smiles on your faces and reminiscing about all those great times we shared.
Eric Nelson
November 26, 2019
I hadn't seen Gary lately and had asked people about him. I always enjoyed running into him and talking about what he was doing. Gary contributed a lot to our community through his bike shop Yankee Peddler. Not only did he contribute to local organizations such as the Rails-to-Trails Group, but he gave many young people a fulfilling job at his shop. Gary was a very positive and witty fellow who will be remembered by many.
Michael Schaaf
November 24, 2019
When someone told Gary to "Have a nice day1" he would always reply : "That's the only one I have!"
Rest in peace, my friend.
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