James Swenson

A celebration of life for Dr. James Durward Swenson, D.D.S. formerly of Gillette, Wyoming will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 27, 2006 at Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in Gillette with Kenna Rose officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2006 at Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel. Inurnment will be at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery following the service with Masonic Rites.James Durward Swenson, D.D.S., age 72, long time Gillette resident died January 17 at Saint Anthony's Medical center in Rockford, Illinois surrounded by his family. He was born May 27, 1933 in Syracuse, KS, the son of Durward Andrew "Kelly" Swenson and Helen Marguerite (Hammond) Swenson. He resided in Kansas until 1939, when his family moved to Gillette, Wyoming. Jim graduated from Campbell County High school in 1951, and attended the University of Wyoming where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He Graduated from Washington University School of Dentistry (St. Louis) in 1958. It was there that he met his bride of 47 years, Doris Jean (Berry) Swenson, a nursing student at Barnes Hospital School of Nursing. Jim and Doris were married June 7, 1958 in Irving, IL. They moved to Camp Pendleton, CA where Jim served with the U.S. Navel Medical Corp attached to the 5th Marines. After his discharge, they moved to Gillette, where he practiced dentistry for 40 years and raised their 4 children. He retired in 2000. Upon retiring, they moved to the Powder Horn Golf Community in Sheridan, WY. Jim's favorite pass time was spending time with his children and grandchildren, but his passions were flying, golfing and hunting. He was named the 1999 Campbell County D.A. Swenson Business Person of the Year. He was a Founding member of the Gillette Golf and Country Club, 50-year member of Gillette Masonic Lodge 28, past president of the Campbell County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, past President of the Gillette Rotary Club, and member of the KALIF Shrine Temple in Sheridan, WY. He was inducted into the International College of Dentist and the American College of Dentists. He was past President Wyoming Dental Association, a lifetime member of the American Dental Association, Wyoming Dental Association and North East Dental Society. He served on the Central Regional Board of Dental Examiners, Wyoming Board of Dental Examiners, and the Wyoming Comprehensive Health Planning Commission. He was a member of the Washington University School of Dentistry Advisory Committee. Dr. Swenson is survived by his wife Doris; children: Kelly Kay (Brad) Sishc Loveland, Colorado, Jamie Jean (Kyle) Cassel Rockford, Illinois; Eric Jon (Sandy) Swenson Rockford, Illinois; Berry Andrew (Fiance, Amelia Robinette) Swenson Colorado Springs, Colorado., 8 grand children: Brock James Sishc, Taylor John Sishc, Sydney Tynne Cassel, Connor Swenson Cassel, Andrew James Swenson, Erica Marguerite Swenson, Jay Cassel and Adam Cassel. He was preceded in death his parents and his grandson, Samuel Durward Cassel. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Dr. Swenson?s name to Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonandsons.com.