THOMAS L SWINLAND

Thomas L. Swinland, 86 of Devils Lake formerly of Lakota, ND passed away early Sunday morning, December 14, 2014 at his home in Devils Lake in the loving care of his sons and family. Funeral Services for Tom will be held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Devils Lake on Friday at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Russell Pollock officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Masonic Rite Ceremony. Thomas Laurie Swinland was born in his maternal grandmother’s home in Minneapolis, Minnesota on February 6, 1928 in Ingman and Marion (Stevens) Swinland. Shortly thereafter he and his mother returned to the family home in Lakota, ND. He attended grade school and high school in Lakota, graduating as Valedictorian of his class and as Lion’s Club “Athlete of the Year”. That summer he enlisted in the Army, went through basic training in Virginia, and was shipped to Japan to serve in the Army of Occupation. He served with the 124th AGF Band, playing baritone horn, in Yokohama. They played for ships in and out of the harbor, for parades, and occasionally in Tokyo for General McArthur, and for concerts in both cities. He attended the School of Pharmacy at the Agricultural College (NDSU) in Fargo. In 1949, he married JoAnne Hatten and they returned to Fargo, where he graduated from Pharmacy as a member of Rho Chi, the Pharmacy National Honor Society, and passed the State Board. He worked as Pharmacist and manger of Pharmacies in Casselton, Leeds, Grand Forks, before settling in Devils Lake where he bought and managed the Clinic Pharmacy for many years before retiring. Tom served as President of the North East Counties Pharmacists Association while in Grand Forks, and as President of the State Pharmacy Association, then served as a member of the State Board of Pharmacy for ten years, serving 2 terms as President of the Board. He was the proud father of 3 boys; Joel, Donald (deceased) and Robert. He enjoyed the outdoor activities that North Dakota had to offer and all of his sons enjoyed the years they shared hunting, camping, and fishing together. Tom joined the Masonic Lodge while in Leeds and later served as Master of the Acacia Lodge in Grand Forks and of the Minnewaukan Lodge in Devils Lake. He was a Life Member of the North Dakota Lodge, and a 50 years Mason. He joined the Scottish Rite Masonry while in Grand Forks and was awarded the honorary K.C.C.H. He joined the Order of Eastern Star in Grand Forks, and served twice as Worthy Patron, once with his wife JoAnne. In Devils Lake he served many years as Worthy Patron and again in Churchs Ferry. He was proud to serve as Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of North Dakota for the 1980-1981 session. He also served the General Grand Chapter as Assistant to the Right Worthy Grand Sentinel. Initiated May 16, 1961 Acacia #12 Grand Forks, became affiliated December 2, 1969 Lorraine #15 Devils Lake, joined (affiliated) June 1, 2004 Wild Rose #58 Churchs Ferry upon Lorraine’s merger. Tom was Worthy Patron of #12 in 1963 and 1968. He was Worthy Patron of #15 in 1972,84,85,87,99, 2000-2004. He was also Worthy Patron of #58 in 2005-2011. Tom was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and of Kem Temple Shrine, and a Life Member of the Elks, Masonic Lodge and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife JoAnne, his son Donald and his siblings. He is survived by his sons Joel and Robert both of Devils Lake, daughter-in-law Connie, grandchildren Alicia, Fargo, Brandy and Carrie, Devils Lake, Darcie, Sheyenne, Jasmine and Katherine both of Devils Lake, great grandchildren Boden, Aviana, Caleb, Carlee, Dominick, Tyler and Sophia. Serving as Casket Bearers for Tom will be Alicia Swinland-Berg, Daniel Johnson, Brandy Swinland, Carrie Swinland, Darcie Riggle, Mark Riggle, Jasmine Swinland and Katherine Swinland. Music will be provided by Rick Senger and Lynda Pearson.