After more than 60 years of devoting his life to God and the Lutheran Church, Pastor Arvid Theodore Swanson Jr., also affectionately known as Ted Swanson, received his final calling to Heaven on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Born in 1925, the son of Swedish immigrants, Pastor Swanson grew up in Waterbury, Conn., until he was drafted by the Army in 1943. He received his honorable discharge and religious calling in 1946.

Pastor Swanson then attended Upsala College in East Orange, N.J., and thereafter the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Augustana Lutheran College in Rock Island, Ill. He was ordained in 1954.

Continuing his mission, Pastor Swanson was called to Ridgefield Park, N.J., where he had his first congregation. There, he met his future wife, Avis.

In 1959, Avis and Pastor Swanson married and moved to Dallas, Texas, where Pastor Swanson accepted his next calling at Emanuel Lutheran Church.

After losing their first son, Christopher Jon, at birth, they had their next two children, Troy and Mary Swanson. After 10 years in Dallas, the family moved to New Jersey, where Pastor Swanson obtained his master's degree in social work at Rutgers University.

In 1972, the family moved to Zelienople, where Pastor Swanson became the assistant director of the Lutheran Children's Home, now called Glade Run Lutheran Services. He later became the director of the Children's Home.

In 1978, Pastor Swanson took another calling at St. John's Stone Church in Prospect, where he remained pastor until his retirement. Thereafter, Pastor Swanson assisted the Lutheran Church as an interim pastor at several churches in the Pittsburgh area.

Pastor Swanson was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Cranberry Township. He was well known for his quick wit and sarcastic nature. Pastor Swanson's ministry has touched the hearts of hundreds of people throughout the years. Although his final calling is the most holy of them all, he will truly be missed here on earth.

Pastor Swanson is survived by his two children, Troy and Mary Swanson; his two grandchildren, Spencer and Samantha Swanson, who affectionately called him "Pop-Pop"; and his always faithful and loving companion, Charlie, his Shetland sheepdog.

<B>SWANSON</B> — A memorial service for Pastor Arvid Theodore Swanson Jr., who passed away Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hope Lutheran Church, 8070 Rowan Road, Cranberry Township, with the Rev. Kurt F. Kusserow, Bishop of the Southwestern PA Synod, ELCA, officiating.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope Lutheran Church.Arrangements entrusted to <B>Boylan Funeral Home Inc.</B>, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.Online condolences & directions at www.boylanfuneralhome.com