Charles Emery Swanson, Sr., 92, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Jasmine Estates Memory Care Center in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was born September 4, 1930 in Vernon, Texas to Frances Emery and Mary Helen Swanson.
When Charles was 8 years old, his family moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma. Charles attended Charter Oak School in Guthrie.
He met Mary Ann Harris at the Melba Theater popcorn stand in Guthrie. When Mary Ann saw Charles for the first time, she pointed at him and said he’s going to be my man. Charles, who was in the United States Army, was soon to be stationed in Staten Island, New York. After Mary Ann graduated from Guthrie High School, she traveled by train out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Grand Central Station in New York to marry Charles before he was deployed to Korea to serve as a gunner in the Korean War. On July 9, 1952, they were married in a wedding chapel on Staten Island. After Charles finished his service in the Army, he returned to Guthrie where he and Mary Ann established a home. Charles worked in the oil field until he was hired at Tinker Air Force Base where he retired from Civil Service.
Charles is a member and former custodian of Noble Avenue Baptist Church in Guthrie.
He and Mary Ann recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family, friends, and residents of Jasmine Estates.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mary Francis Buckles; and his brothers, Kenneth Swanson, Jerry Swanson, Billy Joe Swanson, and Steve Swanson.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his children, Vickie and her husband, Dan Merkle of Fort Worth, Texas and Chuck Swanson of Edmond; his grandchildren, Ryan and his wife, Angella of Bedford, Texas, Trey and his wife, Kristen of Katy, Texas, Brenton and his wife, Denisse of Edmond, Skylar and his wife, Brandy of Battlement Mesa, Colorado, Tanner and his wife, Kassie of Dover, Oklahoma, and Haley Free of Shreveport, Louisiana; and numerous great-grandchildren. Charles is also survived by his siblings, Tom and Ida Swanson, Mike and Alma Swanson, Rita Swanson, Relta and Burl Bolinger, and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, January 23, 2023 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at the southwest corner of Waterloo Road and Sooner Road in Edmond. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie.
There will not be any viewing but the guestbook will be available at Smith-Gallo Funeral Home on Monday morning.
Friends may sign the online guestbook at www. smithgallo.com.