Kenneth Swanigan

Kenneth Swanigan was born on August 16,1935 in Indianapolis, Indiana to the proud parents Sadie M. and Alfred Swanigan, Sr., he was the ninth child. Having three sisters and eight brothers, it was a blessing to have grown up in such a large family.

At an early age, he accepted Christ and became an active member of St. Paul A.M.E Church. He graduated from Arsenal Technical High School, Indianapolis, Indiana; He later served in the United States Air Force and received an Honorable Discharge for his   service to our nation. While in the  Air Force Kenneth united in matrimony to Johnnie June and one son, Donnell was born.    Kenneth relocated to Seattle, WA where met and married the lovely Lavelle Y. Swanigan. They were blessed with four children; Phillip A., Turhan T., Mark and Melanie.

He retired from the City of Seattle, Department of Construction and Land Use. He attended Seattle Community College and received an Associate of Arts Degree in Building Construction Technology; He graduated the AL. Hardy Academy with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master of Arts Degree in Theology. He was a member of The Church at South Seattle, where he served  on the Board of Trustees, and also as Chairman of said Board.

On November 20, 1971, he became a Master Mason in Hercules Lodge No. 17. He was elected and served the office of Worshipful Master in Hercules Lodge No.17 in the years of 1977, 1978,1997. In 1976, he was appointed Special  District Deputy Grand Master assigned to assist in the formation of a new lodge in Renton, WA. He also had the honor and proposed to the new Master Masons that the lodge should be named in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. That proposal was unanimously accepted, and the official name of the lodge  became Martin Luther King Jr. No.65 on the roster of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F & AM. State of Washington and Jurisdiction. He was also an Honorary member of the lodge. He was presented with the honor of Worshipful Master for the year 1976. Kenneth received his Thirty Third Degree in Chicago, Illinois in 1978 (Jewel-l-Hester Class). In 1988, he was elected and installed to the office of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most  Worshipful Prince Hall Grand lodge, State of Washington and Jurisdiction. He had the honor and privilege to issue an official correspondence establishing    Fraternal Recognition between the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge,  F & AM. State of Washington and Jurisdiction and the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge F. & A.M. State of Washington.

On June 30,1975 he became a Holy Royal Arch. Mason in Oklahoma City, OK. as a member of Prince Hall Chapter No.5, Washington DC.; Member of Far West   Commandary, Knights Templar Member of Prince Hall     Consistory No. 67, Valley of Seattle (1972) and Honorary Member of the Nebraska Council of Deliberation. Member of Beni Hassan Temple No. 64, Noble of the Mystic Shin£, Oasis of Seattle, Honorary Past Imperial        Potentate status was bestowed upon him in Seattle, WA. by Imperial  Potentate David Hollman Past Joshua of Lily of the Valley Court No. 5, Heroines of Jericho,  Seattle, WA; Past Joshua of Deborah Court No. 3, Heroines of  Jericho, Seattle, WA, elected and installed to the office of Worthy Grand Joshua of Prince Hall Grand High Court, Heroines of       Jericho, State of Washington and Jurisdiction, Member and Past Patron of Queen of Sheba Chapter No. 12, Order of Eastern Star, elected and Installed as Grand Worthy Patron for Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, State of Washington and Jurisdiction at the Ninety-Ninth (99th) Annual Grand Communication held in Pasco, Washington.

Kenneth’s Community Service included: Past President Board of  Adjustments, City of Renton, Washington; Past Member of King County Rehabilitation Advisory Board; Past President, Board of Directors, Senior Citizen Center; Past Member of Black Public Officials; Member of the Phylaxis Society; Member of the NAACP; Member of the YMCA

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents Sadie & Alfred Swanigan, Sr.; wife Lavelle Swanigan; Sisters: Amelia McLucas, Joyce Barnett, and Carolyn Swanigan; Brothers: Richard, Alfred Jr., Earl, Donald T., Beryl B., and Melvin; and Son Phillip.

On Sunday, January 5, 2024, Kenneth earned his heavenly reward.

He leaves to cherish his love and heartfelt memories, Daughter Melanie; Sons Turhan, Donnell, and Mark; Brother Oscar Swanigan (Ellen); grandchildren: Donte’ Swanigan, Shunica Sefo-Germany (Antone), Jamila Hall, Phillip Hall III, Jamal Hall, Desean Harrell (Mia), Antoinette Mosby, Keenen Swanigan, Kimmei'sha Anderson, Samone Washington, Mackenzie Swanigan, and Quadir Griffin-Swanigan; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and Masonic Brothers and Eastern Star Sisters.

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