SWAPP, Neaf Johnson

Lake Powell Chronicle, Page, Arizona Tuesday, May 10th, 2011 Neaf Johnson Swapp, 87, passed away peacefully May 7, 2011 at Kolob Care and Rehabilitation in St. George, Utah. Neaf was born in Kanab, Utah on Sept. 15, 1923, to James William and Harriet Johnson Swapp, the ninth of 10 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 502nd 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 and sealed in the St. George Temple Aug. 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. 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 Junction, Eldon Neaf (Paula) Swapp of Johnson Canyon, Utah, Jay Mickelson (Gina) Swapp of Page, and Deann (Jim) Decker of Gilbert, brother Cliff (Reva) Swapp of Kanab; 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 May 14 in the Kanab Cemetery. Public viewing will be at Mosdell Moturary at 10 a.m. Arizona time with graveside services at the Kanab Cemetery at 11 a.m. Arizona time.