Craig A Swanson, 77, of Independence, Mo. passed away November 5, 2022, at Centerpoint Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held November 14, 2022, from 5 to 8 p.m. at McGilley & Shiel Funeral Home. Interment will be held at a later date in the chapel at the Higginsville, Mo. State Veterans Cemetery. Craig was born September 22, 1945, in Cedar Falls, Iowa to Donald E Swanson and Hazel M (Southard) Swanson. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1963 and then attended the University of Northern Iowa. After graduating from the Academy of Automation, a data processing school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa sponsored by Collins Radio, Craig began his banking career at Central National Bank in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1965 Craig enlisted in the United States Air Force and was a Senior Missile Guidance and Control Specialist.

He was a member of the Air Defense Command and the Tactical Air Command during the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged in 1969, Craig joined City National Bank which was renamed United Missouri Bank located in Kansas City, Mo. He met Mary Ann Lendur, the love of his life, at the bank and they were married August 21, 1971. Craig worked in the data processing field at United Missouri Bank for 27 years until his retirement in 1996. Craig enjoyed a God given talent for wood carving. His carousel horses and menagerie animals are known worldwide. Craig and Mary spent many years volunteering at the Sisters of St. Francis. Craig is survived by his devoted wife Mary Ann, and two daughters, Felicia (Andy) Baker of Lee’s Summit, Mo. and Stephanie Keltner of Weston, Mo. and by five grandchildren, Kylie, Emily, Caden, Madison and Jessica and two great-grandchildren, Bentley and Evelyn. He is survived by his father Donald Swanson of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and two brothers Eldon (Vicki) of Hudson, Iowa and James (Janis) Swanson of Cedar Falls. He is preceded in death by his mother.