Derrik Riley Swanson

Derrik Riley Swanson, 31, passed away Aug. 29, 2013 as a result of a plane accident with his brother-in-law and best friend, Adam Norton. A memorial service is at 11 a.m., Sept. 7 at the Wasilla LDS Stake Center on Bogard Road. A celebration of life will follow at Raven Hall located on the Alaska State Fairgrounds.

Derrik was born in Palmer Sept. 11, 1981, to Gary Swanson and Connie Shelburn. He grew up in Wasilla with his older brother, Dustin. Derrik graduated from Palmer High School in 1999. He excelled at hockey from childhood and went on to play in junior hockey leagues throughout Alaska and the states. His hockey teams were like family and his teammates were lifelong, cherished friends.

Derrik was a skilled, second-generation ironworker by trade. Some of his favorite stories and best friends came out of the iron pile. He took great pride in his work and he loved his fellow ironworkers.

Derrik loved Alaska and being outdoors. Hunting, camping and fishing were treasured pastimes. In recent years, he developed a love for flying and aspired to get his private pilot’s license. Derrik was a loving husband, father, son and brother. He loved his son Riley beyond words and strived every day to be the best father he could be. Derrik was lighthearted and easygoing with a talent for storytelling and entertaining whomever he was with. His humor and smile brought joy to everyone and it will be greatly missed.

Derrik is survived by the love of his life, Lesli; their son, Riley; grandmother, Loraine Swanson; parents, Gary Swanson and Connie Shelburn; step-mother, Nancy Molloy; brother, Dustin, Stephanie Tomlinson; and nephews, Chase and Ryder Swanson. Derrik was loved and adored by his aunts, uncles and cousins, the large family he inherited by marriage and the many friends who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial account has been established at Wells Fargo Bank.