Zachary Kraig Swanson

Zachary Kraig Swanson, 30, passed away on October 7, 2016, at Mat Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer, Alaska, due to losing his battle with addiction. A celebration of life will be held on November 19, 2016, at the Palmer Train Depot from 2-4 p.m. 610 S. Valley Way, Palmer, Alaska.

Zachary was born May 13, 1986, in Anchorage, Alaska. He got his GED at Alaska Military Youth Academy on JBER in 2004. While there, he excelled at Staff Sergeant, Cadence Song Leader, Drill Team Leader and received the “Class Clown” award, among others. Most of his career life was in Anchorage and Palmer with a couple of years in Michigan and Missouri as a waiter/server, bartender and a short order cook. He also had various other jobs in construction, roofing, counselor, wood cutting, and liquor store clerk. He was very polite and well mannered. He loved his family and friends and his best friend, Matthew Miller, in Missouri.

Zachary enjoyed listening to music, was a good dancer, played guitar and video games. He was very creative in art, drawing, coloring and goofing off. He will be greatly missed and was deeply loved by family and friends.

Zach was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rose and Frank Johnson; grandfathers, Keith Swanson and Ed Billimek; Aunt Pie, Terry Sovik; cousins Grayson Sundgren and Leilah Rodriguez. Zach is survived by his mom, Karen Johnson (Tom); uncle, Gary Priestley; aunt, Diane (Don) Sundgren; cousins, Don (Wyndi) Sundgren, Cail Sundgren, Erika (Aaron) Newton, Aubrey (Nick) Rodriguez and Randi Handy; second cousins, Alex, Connor, Benaiah, Carson, Cammie, Chloe, Carrie and Carlie; his dad, Brian Swanson; grandmother, Pat Billimek; and uncle, Kraig Swanson. Donations can be made to My House. Condolences can be sent to P.O. Box 363 Sutton, AK 99674. Arrangements were cared for by Valley Funeral and Crematory.