obituary header
Welcome to the memorial page for

Rodney J Swanson

February 18, 2007
ROD J. SWANSON

Rod J. Swanson, 82, a retired Las Vegas businessman and resident of Cebollita, NM, passed away on Sunday following an extended illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, John William and Anna E. Christensen Swanson , his wife Elaine who was the Director or Nurses at the Las Vegas Medical Center, and a brother, John Swanson.He is survived by a daughter, Cindy Chavez of Cebollita, NM; one son, Paul Swanson, former police officer for the City of Las Vegas, who resides in Riverside, CA; one grandson, Paul Chavez of Las Vegas, NM; three granddaughters, Jennifer Katlin Swanson of Annapolis, MD, Lauren Ann Swanson of Clarksville, TN, Faith Cassidy Swanson and Christopher Swanson of Riverside, CA; and one nephew, Glen Wood of Cebollita, NM.
Rod was born in Clay County, Lincoln Township, Iowa on January 4, 1925. He was raised on the family farm in Spencer, Iowa and he attended Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He moved to Yakima, Washington where be began working in banking and met Elaine Wood. They were united in marriage on May 29, 1949 in Yakima, WA by Elaine's father, Rev. Charles Wood. Rod became a bank examiner and traveled extensively. The couple lived in Santa Fe where Rod continued to work as an examiner and became an avid ham radio operator. They moved to Denver, CO and in 1970, settled down in Las Vegas, NM with his family. He worked many years at the First National Bank. He was a member of B. P. O. Elks Lodge #408 where he started a model rocket club for youngsters. He was also a member of the Civil Air Patrol and enjoyed going out on patrol with the state police on weekends. The couple then moved to the family ranch in Cebollita where he enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, fishing, and his favorite passion was building and flying radio control model airplanes. Cremation has taken place at the celebration of his life will be held at a later date at the family ranch in Cebollita. The family has requested memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.gonzalesfunerals.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Billy G. Rogers at Gonzales Funerals & Cremations, 2315 Hot Springs Blvd., 425-9319 or 1-888-525-9319
Order Flowers


 Service Information

A service summary is not available


© 2026 Gonzales Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility