Marvin Ray Swanson

Swanson, Marvin Ray Marvin Ray Swanson has signed off on his last set of blue prints! His double footed driving had finally wore out his breaks and he is on "final approach" for his flight to his Heavenly home. He was 93. Marv passed away painlessly and with loving peace at his lakeside home Sunday evening, September 6, 2020 after a sudden burst of his aorta. Ol George K. sloshed a CC old fashion across his lips and he said, "mmmm, that's good". Marvin was born November 27, 1926 in Ludington, Mi. He was raised on a farm with his loving mother Ethel Swanson and his hard working "tender and a bit bashful" father August, a farmer and Carpenter. Marv's younger brother Don was his constant companion and snowball hitman while carrying pails of milk to the house. They await his homecoming. The depression had hit and they were thankful for their farm, even though Marv lost his first business deal to a crook and a batch of cucumbers. His mother worked for the draft board and had to sign her own son into the end of WWII at the age of 18. The boiler broke on his ship which delayed his landing into Japan. The war ended and he served out his duties in Korea running a coal mine. He was granted a full education to Michigan State University where he studied and graduated with a Construction and Lumber Management Degree. His buddy Fred S. encouraged him to come to Jackson where he took a job with the O'Harrow brothers building gas stations. In time, he took it over and out of respect kept the name the same. It was just how Marv rolled, loyal, respectful and unassuming. Nearly 70 years later, the O'harrow/Swansteel family has built everything from Universities, Theaters, Hospitals, Professional offices, Banks and Steel plants. We are stronger than ever and "at your service". The building continued at home in his shop. He built everything from trailers for wheel chaired friends, contraptions that drove mom nuts, and endless days with grandkids learning to lathe, saw, weld and build anything and everything. Marv is survived by his strong, compassionate and pretty wife Virgelene (Virg), cuz she was "the best he could do with the car he had". He loved her endlessly and some of his last words were, "I have loved her for 1000 years." Marv and Virg have three children. Jeffrey Allen, Andrew Ray (passed in 83') and Ann Elaine Swanson. They have 4 grandchildren, Jeff Thomas (Jessica) - great grands Kaylee and James, Brandon Ray, Sean Andrew Patrick and Ryan Alan Patrick. Step grandchildren Jessica Halleck (Michael) - son Ethan, and Kyle Potts (Erin) - daughter Madison. And we can't forget ol "Bud" the grateful stray pooch…. Cuz he's a "people dog" "a good ol' houndy" and a professional beggar come dinner time. He hit a golf ball on the range 2 weeks ago and while having lunch at Knights, he told me, "Ive had a lotta fun and a lotta good things happen to me and I've had a lotta bad things happen, but I always tried to find a way to laugh at it until it became good again. So when things go wrong; laugh, cuz it doesn't matter anyway." He told us to be proactive when you can, and there's always a solution, there's always a way." He's home now... with his son Andy and his family and we are grateful and honored for his life. We are proud of you Marv/chief/ father/ daddy! We will miss your presence here but we shall "blunder ahead". A private family Committal service will be held at Roseland Memorial Gardens with Military Honors. We will celebrate Marv's life with Industrial joy come next spring... stay tuned! If so inclined, bless the Hospice House of Jackson, they truly are "earth angels."