Ernest Gene Swanson

1924 ∼ 2013

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Ernest Gene Swanson, of Bridge City, died Friday, March 22, 2013, at Cypress Glen East Nursing and Rehabilitation in Port Arthur.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Bridge City. Officiating will be Pastor Forrest Wood, pastor of First Baptist Church in Orangefield. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home in Bridge City.

Born in Glen Ellyn, Illinois on November 23, 1924, Ernest was the son of Ernest G. and Letitia Sauter Swanson. He was a 1st Class Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corp and worked at Chevron – Gulf Oil for 34 years. Ernest was a member of First Baptist Church in Orangefield, the Lions Club, V.F.W. and the American Legion. He was also a scout leader and a volunteer for the Bridge City Fire Department for 18 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Charles Catanacci; and three sisters.

Ernest is survived by his wife, Bonnie Swanson of Bridge City; daughters, Sunny Jean Cole of California, Janet Katherine Foreman and husband, Jerry of Orange; nine grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sister, Louise Chidlow of Lombard, Illinois; three nieces; and numerous family and friends.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Jerry Foreman, Bryne Hurley, George Eia, Ronnie Boullion, Jesse Wales and Bob Montagne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 288, Orangefield, Texas 77639.

Condolences

Anonymous March 26, 2013

My prayers are with the family. I worked with Swanson for 5-1/2 yrs. at Gulf Oil Refinery in Port Arthur, Tx. We worked the same shift & carpooled for most of those yrs. We shared many good moments together.##imported-begin##Chuck Mirabella##imported-end##

Anonymous March 26, 2013

Oh, how I will miss my uncle, so appropriately knicknamed "Sunny". When I was a young child, he would lift me up onto his shoulders and carry me around the house, once cracking my head against the archway between our living and dining room. When I was a b##imported-begin##Linda Glenn##imported-end##

Anonymous March 26, 2013

Thoughts and prayers, Faye Beth and Eddie Purifoy##imported-begin##Faye Beth Purifoy##imported-end##

Anonymous March 25, 2013

Janet and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers.##imported-begin##Beth Hollis Cassel##imported-end##

Anonymous March 25, 2013

Tears in my eyes, but trying to fill the hole in my heart with happy memories. Love to my favorite uncle.##imported-begin##Letty Parsons##imported-end##

Anonymous March 25, 2013

Love You Grandpa.##imported-begin##Anthony Catenacci##imported-end##

Anonymous March 25, 2013

I am saddened to here that Ernest Gene Swanson has passed away. I only got to meet him a few times and wish I would have been able to get to know my grandfather better. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. He can now ##imported-begin##Angela Catenacci Fink##imported-end##

Anonymous March 24, 2013

Sonny will be missed, he was always such a bright spot in my life and I will cherish my memories of him!!##imported-begin##Victoria Catenacci Rojack##imported-end##

Anonymous March 24, 2013

I must pen a few notes about the Glen Ellyn years growing up with a typical older brother who induced arm twists, dutch rubs, constant teasing but my screams were of no avail as he was just Sunny...our Mother's love.He and his pals Tony Lund and Dick Calk##imported-begin##Louise Chidlow##imported-end##

Anonymous March 24, 2013

Many great memories growing up with the Swanson family in the same block in Glen Ellyn. My brother "Tony" and "Sunny" Swanson were close, and it is warm to think back on those early years of the 30"s and 4o's playing in the streets. But the years go on, ##imported-begin##John Lund##imported-end##