EARL SWANSON; 1941 - 2009 Donald Earl Swanson passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, March 3, 2009, after a brief illness. He was 67 years of age. Don was predeceased by his parents, Ely ("Al") Swanson in 2004 and Doris Bastian Swanson in 2007. He is survived by his sisters, Myriam (the late Calvin) Turbyfield, of Greenville, Illinois and Sharon Swanson, of Kelowna, BC and his brothers Norman (Carol) Swanson, of Greenville, Illinois and Bruce (Connie) Swanson of Kamloops, BC. He is also survived by seven nephews and one niece; Eric, Stephanie, Stuart, John, Michael, Scott, Ryan and Joel, their spouses and children. Don worked for many years in the orchard industry, first as a shop hand in his father's Swanson Sprayer business in Winfield, BC, and then for several years in apple packing plants in Thornbury and Clarksburg, Ontario. Don made a name for himself as a very friendly, polite and kind person. He was a 'favourite' among his caregivers at The Shores, Ponderosa Lodge and Ridgeview Lodge. He enjoyed male quartet music, puzzles and a good joke. We used to say, "You can't tell Don a joke on Saturday night or he will start laughing in church the next morning." The truth was that he got the joke as fast as anyone, but he might remember it in church the next day, and enjoy it again. <B> Don will be missed by many. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 6th, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Free Methodist Centennial Chapel, 975 Windbreak Street, Kamloops, BC, the Reverend Vern Frudd officiating. Kamloops Funeral Home 250-554-2577 Condolences may be emailed to the family from www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com