Neaf Johnson Swapp

Well this past weekend Scott's grandpa was laid to rest.  We were so grateful for the opportunity we had to visit him just a few weeks prior when we made our trip to Marysvale.  Our one last "goodbye". 
We will love and miss him.

This is the obituary and photos that were put in the paper:

 

Neaf Johnson Swapp, age 87, passed away peacefully May 7, 2011 at Kolob Care and Rehabilitation in St. George, Utah. Neaf was born in Kanab, Utah on September 15, 1923, to James William and Harriet Johnson Swapp, the ninth of ten children. He grew up in Kanab and on the family ranch in Johnson Canyon and Skutumpah. Neaf graduated from Kanab High School in 1941.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1943.  He was in the 502^nd Bomb Group in Guam and Sipan as a mechanic on the B-17 and B-29.  After his discharge he worked at Grand Canyon rebuilding the rim to rim trail that had been neglected during WWII.  While at the Canyon, he met Glenna Michelson, who worked at Grand Canyon Lodge.  They were married Nov. 25, 1948 in Fredonia, AZ, and sealed in the St. George Temple August 6, 2010.

Neaf owned a shoe repair shop and sporting goods store in Kanab.  He was a member of the Kanab Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Fire Chief in 1960.  He was also a member of the American Legion Post 69, serving as Commander.  During these years Neaf often worked as an “extra” in the western movie industry so popular in Kanab at the time.

In 1963 he went back into government service with the National Park Service at Lake Powell and moved his family to Page, AZ. He also ran “Neaf’s Refrigeration”. After retiring from the NPS, he worked overhauls as an electrician at Navajo Generating Station.  He and Glenna always enjoyed time at their Cedar Mountain cabin.  Glenna passed away Sept. 4, 1994.

Survivors include children Florence (Kay) Kofford of Apache Jct. AZ,  Eldon Neaf (Paula) Swapp of Johnson Canyon, UT, Jay Mickelson (Gina) Swapp of Page, AZ and Deann (Jim) Decker of Gilbert, AZ., brother Cliff (Reva) Swapp of Kanab, UT.; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by sisters Nina Smirl, Ella Willis, Corris Morgan, and Viola Watson; brothers James Mark, Eldred Joel, Cloyd William, and Leon Johnson Swapp.

Graveside services will be held Sat. May 14^th in the Kanab Cemetery, Kanab, Utah.  Public viewing will be at Mosdell Moturary at 11 am (UT time) (10 am AZ time) with graveside services at the Kanab Cemetery at 12:00 (UT time) (11 am AZ time).