Leslie C. Swanson, Major, USAF (Retired)
December 27, 1933 – March 28, 2000

Leslie C. Swanson, 66, of One Park Place, Owensboro, died Tuesday, March 28, 2000, at Owensboro Mercy Health System. He was born in Livermore and graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1957 with a Bachelor of Agriculture.

He formerly worked for the Food and Drug Administration and was the former owner/operator of A-Z Auto Parts in Tampa, Fla.

He retired as an Air Force major in 1978 after 20 years and served in Korea and Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, as a bomber pilot in Lincoln, Neb., and as a distinguished squadron commander in Tampa. He received three Distinguished Flying crosses, two Air Medals for Meritorious Achievement and a Combat Readiness Medal and was a member of the B-47 1,000 Hour Club for Outstanding Airmanship.

Survivors include his former wife, Eleanor Blandford Swanson; two sons, John C. Swanson of Tampa and Thomas R. Swanson of Brussels, Belgium; three daughters, Leslie Ann Swauger, Karen Allsteadt and Sheila Casaccia, all of Tampa; nine grandchildren; two brothers, Martin Swanson of Carmichael, Calif., and Gustaf B. Swanson of Owensboro; and four sisters, Lois Cooke of Louisville, Lillian Moorman and Dennie Martin, both of Owensboro, and Brenda Wedding of Evansville.

Services are at 2 p.m. Friday at James H. Davis Funeral Home chapel in Owensboro. Burial will be in Richland Baptist Church Cemetery in Livermore. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. today and after noon Friday at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Richland Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Larry Poiles, 7110 Kentucky 136 E, Calhoun, KY 42327

Burial information: Richland Baptist Church Cemetery, Calhoun, KY

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Captain Swanson served in the Vietnam War as a CH-3E pilot with the 21st SOS in the 1969-1970-time frame.