Jay LaSal Swenson

Jay Swenson, 96, of Denver, CO, Kearney, NE & Fairview, UT passed away July 3, 2016 at the Colorado Veterans Community. Jay was born February 8, 1920 in LaSal, Utah to John and Anthere [Mills] Swenson. Jay was one of 10 children. At the age of 3 Jay and his family moved to Fairview, Utah. When they moved to Fairview Jay remembers riding to town, LaSal, in a two-in-hand wagon to the rail station for the trip to Fairview. Jay spent his formative years in Fairview and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School. After graduating high school Jay moved to Los Angles to work construction with his brother. Shortly after he moved to LA WWII started and he returned to Utah to enlisted in the army as a rifleman with the 132nd Infantry in the Americal Division. He was sent to the South Pacific Theater and was wounded in jumping on a hand grenade to protect the other soldiers in his foxhole. This occurred on March 15, 1944 on the Island of Bougainville. For his courageous service Jay was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. He carried shrapnel in his body for the rest of his life. After his recovery Jay returned to Utah where he met his future wife Afton Christensen. They were married in Phoenix, AZ where Jay worked construction. Eventually they moved back to Utah where their son Gregory was born. Jay received his associates degree from the LDS Business School. From there they moved to Brigham City where Jay worked for Anderson Ford. In 1957 Jay and his family moved to Grand Island to work for Butler Mfg. In 1962 Jay became a real estate broker and moved to Kearney, NE. Where he owned Gateway Realty and Swenson Appraisal Service. Jay finally retired at the ripe old age of 84. Jay was preceded in death by his wife Afton in 2011. He is survived by ""baby sister"" Ronna Lee and Helen Syndergaard. Jay is also survived by his son Greg and grandchildren Kerry Swenson, Christa Ray, LeJuan Ray, Gabriel Swenson, Sarah Osburn and Bryan Osburn and 13 great grandchildren. In addition to being a war hero and our hero Jay was the most loving and generous of people his family and friends knew. He was alway there to help out when anyone needed help. He was also there for his church helping build LDS houses of worship in Fairview, California and Grand Island, NE. There will be a viewing for Jay at Horan & McConaty's auxiliary build located at 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, CO 80014 from 3 to 7 PM on Thursday July 7th. In Utah there will be a viewing at Rasmussen Mortuary in Mt. Pleasant, UT from 9 to 10 AM and graveside services at 1 PM at the Ephraim Cemetery on Monday July 11th. Jay will be greatly missed by his family and friends.