Bradley Luverne Swanson

Abingdon, VA - Bradley LuVerne Swanson, age 69, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2016 at his home. Brad was born in Bagley, MN, on April 24, 1947, the son of Ardis “Jorgenson” Swanson and LuVerne Swanson. After the death of his Father in 1949, his mother remarried Omer Kolling who move the family to Abingdon and raised him as his own son. Brad continued to live in Abingdon the rest of his life but loved and missed his Minnesota family. Brad attended Abingdon High School and Emory & Henry College. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps June 1969 –August 1972 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was awarded National Defense Service Medal; Vietnamese Campaign Medal with device; Vietnamese Service Medal with 1 star; Combat Action Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Award; Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.

Brad’s early career was as a bank examiner in Pennsylvania, after which he returned to Abingdon to open a fine dining restaurant. He made a final career change to the natural gas industry, where he made many lifelong friends.

Brad was a man with an enormous heart, whose love and loyalty had no bounds. He was known to cook fabulous meals and his knack for choosing delicious food, wine, beer, and cigars to share with friends and family will be hard to match. He thoroughly enjoyed his trips to Mexico, and easily made friends wherever he went. He was happiest when he could share his time and talents with those he loved.

Brad was a man of many passions, and hobbies including, his many pets, antiques, gardening, orchids, fishing, golfing and especially Tennessee VOLS. He loved anything of beauty and supported local artists wherever he was.

Above all, he loved his family with his whole heart and was so generous with his hugs, time, and gifts. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

He is survived by sisters, Susan Swanson-Cooper of Chantilly, VA, Christine Kolling Hipolito of Plantation FL, and Alicia Kolling Osborne of Stafford VA; brothers, Omer Kolling, Jr. of Abingdon, VA, and Lance Kolling of Abingdon, VA; foster brother, Norman Smith of Roanoke, VA; nephews, Jason Hipolito of Florida, Andrew Hipolito of Florida, and Shane Kolling of Abingdon, VA; nieces, Lindsay Strup of Alexandria, VA, Kristin Rohrer of Chantilly, VA, Erin Cooper of Chantilly VA, Chelsea Hurley of Stafford VA, Kayla Osborne of Stafford, VA, and Cynthia Cantor of Abingdon, VA; grand nieces, Brooklyn Cantor and Evelyn Strup; grand nephews, Ryan Bradley Rohrer and Bennett Strup; and aunt, Clarice Kolling of Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by LuVerne Swanson, father, Ardis Kolling, mother, Omer Kolling step father, and Ernest Kolling, brother.

Visitation with the family will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2016, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. John Lutheran Church with Pastor G. Scott Homesley officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Tim Peretti, Steve Cooper, Joey Sauls, Charlie Sheffey, Max Hermann, Justin Phillips, Jason Hipolito, and Andrew Hipolito serving as pallbearers. Military Rites will be conducted by the United States Marine Corps and the Virginia National Guard.

Tributes in his honor may be made to St Jude Childhood Cancer Research. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register.

The family of Bradley Luverne Swanson is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.