Albuquerque, NM - Gary David Swanson (U.S. Army Lt.Col., retired) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died April 26, 2025, at the age of 85.

He was born May 2, 1939, to Warner and Viola (Swanson) Swanson in New Castle, Pennsylvania.

He graduated from Bessemer High School in Bessemer, Pennsylvania, in 1957 and from Youngstown University in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1962 with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering degree. During his 21-year Army career, he served in several states and in Vietnam, South Korea and Japan.

He received a Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, in January 1971 during his service. He also graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in June 1978. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1983 as a lieutenant colonel.

After his retirement, he worked as a government contractor.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalie (McRae); son, David Swanson (Teresa); daughter, Jennifer Swanson (Bob McElheney); daughter-in-law, Nikki Swanson; granddaughters, Amanda Corbett (Levi) and Ashton Swanson; grandson, Kaiden Swanson; great-grandson, Judah; and numerous other family members and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Warner and Viola Swanson; his sister, Sheridan Swanson; and his brother, Bill Swanson.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at St. Chad's Episcopal Church, 7171 Tennyson NE, Albuquerque, NM.