James Leonard Swanson

 James Leonard Swanson, III 

 o5•o6•196o ~ o3•25•2o24

 James L. Swanson was the ultimate warrior and kicked cancer’s butt for 7 long years. But when his body could no longer bear the treatments, Jim took that cruel beast down with him. Cancer may be the reason that Jim passed away so young, but cancer didn’t win. You see, that relentless disease cannot live without a host. Therefore, when Jim’s soul was freed, his burden immediately met it’s demise. We may have lost an amazing man, but he still won. We also won. Far exceeding the timeframe they gave him at diagnosis, for 6+ additional years, we all got to experience so many more genuine and amazing times with him. Jim’s final gift was supplying us with many memories to help ease our grief, memories to act as glue to hold our broken hearts together, memories to cherish for the rest of our lives. And for that, we have to push our anger (of the unfairness of it all) aside, and be grateful that he was the toughest man we’ve ever known, not ever willing to give up that fight. For all of us. To say he will be greatly missed, is an understatement. 

 Jim is survived by his soulmate, Lesa Coontz, and her wonderful family that he loved, and cherished, as his own. His siblings; Rizae (Kevin) Pfiefle, Carla McCaffery, Dan Anderson, Dave Anderson, and Jeana (Dan) Allison, along with many nieces and nephews, his (step) Mom, CaroleSue Swanson, and his only child, Dacia (John) Carpenter and his grandchildren; Letrell, Quincey, Amahri and Trye. And so many amazing friends that he considered family. 

 Jim was proceeded in death by; His mother, Ellen (Jim) Anderson, his father James L. Swanson, and his siblings, Doug, Dean, and Jean Anderson. 

 Jim had many aka’s; James, Jim, Jimmy, Son, Brother, Dad, Father-in-law, Gus, Uncle, Nephew, Son-in-law, Grampa, Grandpaw, Grandfather, Poppy, Papa Shrimpy, Soulmate, and Friend. 

 Please join us in an informal gathering to honor and share memories of Jim on Saturday, July 27th at 2pm. Q’emiln Park 12201 W. Parkway Drive, Post Falls Id *city beach, at the picnic area near the bridge. Parking lot (with fee) at entrance.