George Paul Swanson

George Paul Swanson, known to many friends as Tall Paul, passed away peacefully with his family in Pocatello on November 1, 2023.  Paul was born June 15, 1949, in Salmon, Idaho. He was the only son of George Junior Swanson and Olga Delores Gerbich Swanson.  

Paul spent his younger years in Salmon, Idaho.  His family later moved to Soda Springs, Idaho when he was 11. He graduated from Soda Springs High School in 1967.  

After graduating, he served in the United States Navy for two years and later married Diane Carver on February 9, 1973.  They had three children and later moved to Grace Idaho.

Paul is survived by his daughter, Sophia Swanson, four grandchildren, Shanea Diane Bevins, Wilford Paul Price, Eli Cordon Price, all of Pocatello, Idaho and Falisia Cruz of Bozeman, Montana, along with a sister, Barbara Jean Fisher of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, George and Delores Swanson, younger brother, Eli Michael Swanson, first wife Diane Swanson, and his two oldest children Stephanie and Shane Swanson. 

Paul had a great love for the Salmon, Idaho area where he was born and spent his younger years.  He enjoyed fishing on the Salmon River with his late wife Diane and friends, hunting, fishing, camping, and barbequing with his family, and providing service to the veterans in Lava Hot Springs.

A luncheon for family and friends was held on November 25, 2023 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Lava Community Center in Lava, with military honors at 2 p.m. Cremation arrangements were under the care of Sims Funeral Home, Soda Springs, Idaho.