Arthur M. Swanson

Arthur M. Swanson, 91, of Charleston, South Carolina, widower of Alice McRitchie Swanson entered into eternal rest Monday, December 30, 2013. His Funeral Service will be held Friday, January 3, 2014 in St. Philip's Church, 142 Church Street at 11:00 a.m. Interment, Churchyard. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Carolina Yacht Club. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC. DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

Arthur was born June 27, 1922 in Hartford, Connecticut, son of Harry R. Swanson and Ellen Morander Swanson. He attended The Citadel, served in the US Army overseas, and graduated from The Citadel in 1945. He began his banking career at First National Bank in 1951. He became a vice president in 1957 and moved to the general office of First National in Columbia in 1969 as senior vice president in administration. Elected a director of First National Bank and holding company, First Bankshares Corp. of S.C., in 1974, Arthur became executive vice president in 1975 and was made vice chairman of the bank in 1981. At the time of the First National merger with South Carolina National in 1984, Arthur was named president of SCN. Arthur retired to Charleston in 1986 and in 1988, he became involved in the organization of Bank of Charleston, NA. The bank opened for business April 12, 1990 and he served as its first president, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. He also served as chairman of the South Carolina Commission of Higher Education. He was a member of St. Philip's Church, Carolina Yacht Club, The New England Society, The Charleston Club, Country Club of Charleston, The Charleston Ancient Artillery Society and The Charleston Library Society.

He is survived by his four sons, Stephen E. Swanson (Carmi) of Mt. Pleasant, Arthur P. Swanson (Mary Shannon) of Johns Island, Robert A. Swanson (Jan) of Columbia, David M. Swanson (Cathy) of Charleston; ten grandchildren, and one great-grandson. He is also survived by his sister, Marabeth S. Wedewer of Charleston. He is predeceased by his brother, Harold V. Swanson and his sister Harriet S. Atwood.

The family would like to thank his caregivers, Willie Mae Geathers; and Sonya Hearn, Medea Green, Virginia Holmes and D'Shonda Jenkins of BrightStar of Charleston.

Memorials may be made to St. Philip's Church 142 Church Street Charleston, SC 29401 or Hospice of Charleston, 4975 Lacross Road, Suite 200 North Charleston, SC 29406.