John Harding Swenning

John Swenning was born in Kingsburg, CA, Sept. 15, 1942, where he attended school from grades K-12. Before graduating in 1960, he was an outstanding athlete in both football and track & field. In fact, John was a high school All American in football his senior year, and he was selected to play in the California State All Star Shrine game at the L.A. Coliseum. John graduated from Fresno State University in 1965. He was hired by the Fresno County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sheriff and promoted to Sergeant in 1969. In 1972 he became Chief of Police in Kingsburg, and in 1986 he served as Acting Chief of Police in Selma. In 1987 he was appointed Assistant Sheriff for the Fresno County Sheriff's Department and retired as Undersheriff in 1999. John wrote and published two books, a biography of his uncle, Gust Swenning, a World War II war hero who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously, and was the namesake of a WWII Destroyer Escort, DE 394. His second book, Vengeance, was a mystery novel. John also wrote and performed cowboy poetry at numerous Cowboy Poetry venues. John was preceded in death by his mother and father, Harding and Alice Swenning, sister Joanne Allison, and brother-in-law, Craig Westlund. John was married to his first wife, Mary Lou Girtz for 28 years. The couple has two sons, John Jr. and Jeff. They ultimately had four grandchildren. John married Jenny Delaney Ward in 1993 and was blessed with 29 years of love and happiness. John is survived by his wife, Jenny; sons and their wives, John & Joelle, Jeff & Heather; grandchildren, Haylie & husband Ryen Simpson, BaCall & husband Luke Burns, Scott Silva, Nicholas & wife Becca, Jessica, Gus & Stormy Swenning, Jacob & Tara Fletcher and their spouses Ryan & Sabrina, Allex, & Tyler Brandon & wife, Leah, Dustin Brandon & wife Julie, Trevor Price, Dustin & Katie Manfredi; Brianna & Isaiah Aimalefoa, Raul Alvarez; eight great grandchildren: Willow Grace Swenning, Sophia & Elijah Mathis; Colton & Ezekiel Fletcher; Avery, Evelyn, Kate & Beau Brandon, Jaxxon & Acelynn Aimalefoa; Daughter & son in law, Sheri & Perry Brandon; & stepson Todd Fletcher. John is also survived by his loving sister, Jane Westlund and nephew, Craig. Jane was John's beloved caretaker. A memorial celebrating John's life will be held on Friday, January 27th, 11am at the Worship Centre Church, 2830 Manning Avenue, Fowler, CA 93625. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in the name of the Katie Trevino Scholarship fund, Kingsburg High School, 1900 18th Avenue, Kingsburg, Ca 93631.

John Harding Swenning

September 15, 1942 - December 13, 2022