Charles A. Swanson

Charles A. Swanson, age 83, of New Dawn Retirement Community at Dover, and formerly of New Philadelphia, the Tappan Lake Region, and Parma, Ohio, died peacefully Tuesday evening with his daughter at his side.Born at Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, on January 25, 1922, Charles was one of five children reared by the late Ralph C. and Bessie Thorpe Swanson. Charles studied Agriculture and Science Education at Penn State University. Following graduation there, he received his Master of Science Education from Louisiana State University. Mr. Swanson was also a veteran of the United States Army. During World War II, he served as a radio operator in the Pacific theater. He was honorably discharged in 1946 at the rank of Second Lieutenant. An educator for more than forty years, Charles taught at Parma Senior High School, and was an adjunct professor of Science at Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, and at Cuyahoga Community College. Active in the communities in which he resided, Charles was a longtime member of the Ohio Education Association, the Rutarian Club, having once served as the club president at Scio. Charles was no stranger to performing in front of others. He was active in community theater at both Deersville and the Little Theater at New Philadelphia. Charles was also a member of the Classic Praise Team at First United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia, and was a past member of the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church at Parma, Ohio, and the Scio United Methodist Church. Charles was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Willena Corkern-Gatewood Swanson in 1957 and his second wife, the former Hazel Millisor Swanson in 2002. In addition to his parents and wives, Charles is in a better place with his son James Aubrey Gatewood formerly of Franklinton Louisiana, a grandson Chip Graham, who died in 1997, a brother Ralph Swanson, and two sisters, Ida Peterson and Carribelle Swanson. Survivors include his daughter Cheryl (Bill) Graham of New Philadelphia, and a daughter-in-law Betty Jo Gatewood of Franklinton, Louisiana, granddaughters Christie Graham of Newark, Ohio, and Jo Beth Gatewood of Franklinton, Louisiana, a grandson Kenny Gatewood of Franklinton, Louisiana, and a foster grandson Army Specialist Ron Barker, proudly serving our country in Kuwait. A sister, Mary Kooman of Jamestown New York completes the family. Friends are invited to call Saturday, November 26 from 11:30 until 1:30 in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church, 201 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia. The Rev. Dr. Steven R. Bailey will officiate funeral services there at 1:30. Burial will follow at Fair Street Cemetery where members of the New Philadelphia VFW Post 1445 will render military honors. To commemorate her father’s lifelong support of her musical and educational career, Cheryl Graham will render Tapps during the military tribute. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chip Graham Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the Quaker Foundation; 343 Ray Avenue NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.