Arthur John Swanson was born August 22, 1934 in Meriwether County to the late George and Marie Swanson. He went to be with the Lord on April 9, 2015.

He came to know God at an early age at White Plains UMC. Funly known as A. J. he lived the life he loved and loved the life he lived. He loved to travel. He left Greenville at an early age making his home in Cleveland, Ohio as a truck driver, where he met the love of his life and five children came from this union. A. J. loved traveling from Cleveland, Ohio to Greenville with Aunt Lula as regular as he could. Finally after retiring, coming back home to where he would live out his life with a very devoted nephew, Joseph Ector, commonly known as Jr., his care taker.

A. J. was 1 of 6 children whom all have gone from labor to reward except one, Ms. Lula Favors Stephen Swanson of Atlanta, Georgia. Those that preceded him in death: Arthur Lynn Swanson, Texas; Kevin Pickett, Cleveland, Ohio; Wanda Swanson, Junita Pickett, Cleveland, Ohio.

A. J. leaves to cherish his memory, one sister, Lula Favors of Atlanta, GA; nieces, nephews and cousins.