Doug graduated from North Central High School, class of 1975 where he lettered in football. He then attended Spokane Community College in Automotive Repair. His summers were spent working at Yellowstone National Park where he got to see all the sights and wildlife. His favorite story was while walking on a trail, he came around a large boulder and was face to face with a bull moose. He very quickly retreated back behind that rock.
Doug then joined the Air Force. Toward the end of his Basic Training, he had a choking incident and that is when they discovered that he had Myotonic Dystrophy, a form of Muscular Dystrophy. Upon his discharge from the service, he moved to Seattle to live with his father. Doug worked at the King Dome in concessions and got to see a wide variety of top bands, musicians, and artists. It was his favorite job. When Doug's father passed away (also from Muscular Dystrophy) he moved back to Spokane and held various jobs in the food service industry. His last job before applying for disability was delivering newspapers for the Spokesman Review. Doug was able to travel to Australia (where he toured the Australia Zoo hoping to see the Crocodile Hunter), New Zealand, and Fiji with his mother. This was his last trip.
Doug was a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan through thick and thin, extremely loyal. When the Seahawks came along, they became his second favorite. Doug enjoyed silly jokes and puns and was always ready to tell you another one. He loved people and social gatherings so that he had new "victims" for his jokes.
Doug is survived by his mother, Bev Swanson, his sister, Christy Swanson, his brothers, Eric Swanson (wife Kathy, nephews Evan & Will Huber) and Donald Swanson (nephews Parker & Jake Swanson).
Doug's memorial service will be held on May 13th at 10 AM at Northwood Presbyterian Church, 6721 N Monroe Street, Spokane WA. Doug attended Northwood Presbyterian from his childhood until he became completely housebound.