James Edward Swanson
1940 ~ 2022

Captain James Edward Swanson, age 81 of Eagan and Edina, MN, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2022, after a valiant battle with acute pulmonary problems...
Jim was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan on March 19 1940, to the late Edward and Vera (Fearing) Swanson. The oldest of five children, Jim grew up in nearby Florence and Wabeno, Wisconsin where his father worked as a baker. As a young lad Jim worked alongside his father in the bakery. He attended Wabeno High School where he was known as a well-rounded student having participated in almost every sport and school activity including basketball, football, band, choir, glee club, and student council.
It was natural for Jim to go on to attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison. As these were the years of mandatory ROTC, he opted for Air Force ROTC. During his senior year Jim received FAA approved training in light aircraft as a prescreening for USAF Pilot Training. The same week he received his BA degree in political science, he was also commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force Reserve.
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David W. Hall
1930 ~ 2022

Captain David W. (Dave) Hall passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on Jan. 30, 2022 after a short bout with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving wife Veda and daughter Sherri. Throughout his adventure-filled life, Dave dutifully served his family, country, and airline.
Dave was the child of Dorris Washburn (“DW”) Hall and Ula Bee (Wright) Hall. He was born in Seattle, WA and grew up in LaGrande, Oregon. Dave was proceeded in birth by his brother Bill who passed away just a week before Dave. Seeking adventure at a young age, Dave worked for the Forest Service and Oregon Railroad during his teen years. He attended La Grande High School in Eastern Oregon where he played quarterback for the football team and served as senior class president.
In 1948 Dave entered Eastern Oregon State College (now Eastern Oregon University). Two year later he transferred to the University of Oregon where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business. While at the ‘U of O’ Dave met several life-long friends as a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity including Bob Wilkins, Roesch Fitzgerald and William and Bob Cary.
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Thomas 'Tommy' Tinker
1933 ~ 2021
Tommy Tinker, age 88, of Kapaáu, Hawaii, passed away August 22, 2021, at Kona Community Hospital. He was born in Van Nuys, California and grew up in Edna, Texas, where he became a local football star. At 23, he attended Navy Flight School in Pensacola, Florida and served 21 years in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves, retiring at the rank of Lt. Colonel. Tommy flew commercially for Pacific Airlines, then Republic, and later Northwest until retirement in 1993. In 2018, he published Laddies in Waiting, a collection of remarkable stories from his 37-year flying career. Tommy Tinker was a RNPA member.
Tommy and his wife Cindy have lived on the Big Island for 33 years. He was an avid diver, sailor, and skier. His friends will remember many Sunday afternoons sailing out of Kawaihae Harbor on his beloved sailboat, Kitta. As an active member of the North Kohala community, Tommy served as President of the Merchants Association, also President of the Kohala Hospital Charitable Foundation Board, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a new emergency room facility.
There is no service planned due to Covid-19. His ashes will be scattered in the ocean later. If you wish to donate in Tommy's name, his favorite charity was St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Tommy is survived by his wife, Cynthia G. Smith, a son Heung-Gi (Laura) Tinker of Holmes, NY, three daughters, Kelly (Jim) Gronwald of Prescott Valley, AZ, Dana (Bill) Greenroad of San Jose, CA, and Rebecca (Greg) Coburn of Martinez, CA, twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
(Tinker family)