Sanford Swanson

Mr. Swanson was born on February 14, 1920 in Biloxi, MS, the son of the late Sanford O. Swanson, Sr. and Frances Witt Swanson. He began a career in the food service industry in 1945 in Columbia, SC after his separation from active duty military service. He was employed early in his career with the Capitol Provision Company in sales followed by additional sales positions with General Mills and Piggly Wiggly Carolina Company. Immediately prior to his retirement he worked with Colite Industries of West Columbia SC and Southeast Sales Corp of Jacksonville, Fl in sales of commercial signage to the grocery industry.

Lt. Col Swanson had a distinguished and decorated military career having retired 16 March 1973 with 31 years of combined service both active duty and in the South Carolina Army National Guard. He enlisted in the Army Air corps in 1941 and was later commissioned a 2nd lieutenant as a pilot in 1944. He was assigned to the 57th Bomb Wing, 340th Bombardment Group at Columbia Army Base and was deployed to Rimini, Italy where he participated as a B-25 pilot in the Po Valley and Balkan campaigns. He was later recalled to active duty and deployed to Newfoundland where he was assigned as a pilot to an air transport unit of the 14th Air Force, Harmon Field. He was assigned as South Carolina State Aviation Safety Officer of the SC Army National Guard immediately prior to his retirement in 1973.

Survivors include his daughter, Peggy S. Yokubonus and her husband Chuck of Ormond Beach, Fl, his son Charles S. Swanson and his wife Margaret of Mt. Pleasant, SC , his grandchildren, Margaret S. “Muff” Holshouser and her husband Will of Greensboro, NC, Charles S. Swanson, Jr. and his wife Leighann of Charlotte, NC, Ann C. Swanson of Mt. Pleasant, SC and four great-grandchildren.

He was a member of Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Church , Ormond Beach, Fl the Knights of Columbus and a life member of the 57th Bomb Wing Association. He was an avid sailor in his youth and later an early member of the Columbia Sailing Club, Lake Murray, S.C.

Funeral Services will be held in Columbia S.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Church, “Alive in Christ” Campaign, 600 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach, Fl 32174 Local arrangements are under the care and direction of Volusia Memorial Funeral Home Ormond Beach.