Friday, May 23, 2025
Larry George Swenson, 79, of Salina, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the Good Shepard Hospice Home in Manhattan, Kansas. He was born on April 4, 1946, in Concordia, Kansas, the oldest of four children born to Lowell and Carolyn (Clark) Swenson. He graduated from Concordia High School in 1964 and went on to attend Kansas Wesleyan University for two years.
On June 5, 1966, Larry married Janet Kay Johnson at the First Baptist Church in McPherson, Kansas, officiated by Rev. Howard Berglund. They were married for 58 years.
During high school, Larry worked at Cook’s Grocery store; during college, he worked at Gebhart Hardware. In 1972, he purchased No. 81 Vickers Gas Station, located across from St. John’s Military School in Salina. Two years later, in 1974, Larry began working for Central Supply, where he discovered his talent for mixing automotive paint. This marked the beginning of his reputation as the “Paint Man.” Larry became widely known for his ability to match paint for any vehicle. Even beyond cars, people would bring him various items, confident in his skill to find the perfect match of color. He dedicated many years to Central Supply until its purchase by O`Reilly’s in 1991, where he continued to work until his retirement in 2011.
He deeply loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Larry also had a passion for working in his yard and gardening, a skill passed down from his Grandpa Swenson and his father. Larry participated in the Master Gardening Program through Kansas State University in Salina, Kansas. Remembering his childhood, Larry often spoke of a radio-record player his grandfather gave him. He had carefully removed and marked all the tubes. His father then took the tubes to be tested, returning with replacements for the faulty ones, allowing Larry to enjoy the radio for many years. This brought on his joy for music, specifically rock and roll. He and Janet would spend their time watching NASCAR races and cheering for his favorite drivers, Jeff Gordon and Chase Elliot. They also watch all three Kansas College Basketball teams. He enjoyed cooking and even searching for coloring pages to entertain his great-grandchildren during their visits.
In his later years, Larry bravely fought health challenges stemming from a second bout of oral cancer. Though he will be deeply missed, his family takes comfort in knowing he expressed his love in his own unique way and is now free from pain. On the night of his passing, as his family returned home from Manhattan, they encountered a sudden downpour accompanied by lightning, a moment they felt was a comforting sign from Larry, especially since the weather radar showed no indication of rain.
Larry is survived by his wife, Janet; children, Jennifer Cross (Dave) and Steven Swenson (Andrea), all of Salina; sisters, Carol Hanson (Larry) of Florissant, Colorado and Donna Nelson (Ray), of Concordia, Kansas; brother, Roger Swenson (Paula), of Lyons, Kansas; grandchildren, Nicolas Hedgespeth, Danielle Shelton (Brandon), Christine Arias (Ro), Ashley Swenson, Jessica Wamser (Jordan), and Braxton Cross; thirteen great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and nephew, Kevin Hanson.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 9, 2025, at First Baptist Church with Pastor Kevin Hazelton as officiant.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.
