Swan Workman

Our beloved Swan passed away March 4, 2024, in Bountiful, Utah. He was born in Provo, Utah and grew up in the Mapleton/Springville area. He was the oldest son and second of eight children of Angé and Robert Workman. His family and friends are still reeling from his unexpected death, but we are determined to live life in a way that he would have wanted us to and that is honoring to him.

There are so many words to describe Swan’s character and life. Here are just a few.

Swan had a wonderful IMAGINATION. He was home schooled along with all of his siblings. At a very young age it was obvious that he was very bright and curious. He learned to read at the age of 3 and would read everything he saw. He picked up every subject very quickly, and it seemed he was bored with doing the tedious work he was asked to do. He loved dragons and dinosaurs. At one point in his schooling, it was decided between him and mom that he would do a research paper on dinosaurs. This was a very fun task for him (he was probably 6 or younger). He proceeded to check books out of the library to research, draw pictures, and write about each of the dinosaurs he wanted to include in his research paper. It was a fun activity for him and mom as it allowed him to use many skills.

Swan was CREATIVE and BOLD. He had a lot of ideas and massive dreams. He was not afraid to start anything new. He not only dreamed big, he knew what he had to do and took the steps to do it. He continued to be very curious all of his life and would thoroughly research a subject to learn all he could about it. It might be gardening, forestry, building structures, natural weed control, music, computer technology, pottery, and so on. Whatever he set his mind to do, he would search out very thoroughly how to proceed, then would commence to create beauty. When he was 17, he moved away from home, dyed his hair green, and boldly stepped into a life filled with creative ventures, including moving to Ohio to work in the film industry, serving in the United States Army as a combat engineer, traveling widely, owning a gym, working in real estate flipping houses, maintaining a farm, sharing his musical gifts through his bands, and most recently starting a commercial cleaning business and working in high-ticket sales.

He was an incredibly HARD-WORKER. He liked work and could get more done in a day than others could do in two weeks. Everything he did, he did well. He was intelligent and smart and had the mental toughness and fortitude to always be strong and prepared. He never did anything half-a**ed. He was all a**, all the time. He would often say, “The way you do anything is the way you do everything.”

Swan was UNIQUE and TALENTED. His brain took on the world in a unique way. The world he created in his mind was a beautiful place. He shared his unique vision through his music, his building projects, and his business ventures. Most importantly, he deeply cared about people and devoted intense energy to touching their lives in meaningful and hilarious ways.

Swan had a very TENDER HEART. He would often be found teary-eyed at night by his mother. He was worried about friends, as most young children and teenagers are. He and his mother would talk for a long time into the night until he found the comfort to go to sleep. He truly cared that other people were included and offered encouragement to others who were struggling in any way. He would be the first to offer a helping hand in any situation. He often was the first responder in emergency situations and his quick action and clear head and compassion helped in some precarious events.

Swan loved the OUTDOORS, the mountains, the desert, the canyons. He was skilled and trained in most every outdoor activity: rappelling, rock climbing, biking, river running, marksmanship, sky diving, survival skills, mountain climbing, exploring. He shared his love of the outdoors with his children and many of his nieces and nephews. He was a favorite uncle to many. He made sure all were well cared for and having a great time.

Swan LOVED people intensely and intentionally. All of his people. He loved his social connections and just being with others. He talked all the time about how much he loved his friends. He was an inspiring and natural leader. He had an incredible capacity and talent for showing compassion and love. He gave people chances. He knew his people and what kind of advice and help they were willing and able to receive. He gave so much care to listening intently to really understand people and their needs. He knew how to help, when to help, and when to stop.

Swan was an amazing HUSBAND and FATHER. He had a big heart and worked every day to create a beautiful life for his wife and daughters. Even though he told terrible Dad Jokes, he was a loving, devoted, fun-loving, and protective father to his two precious daughters. He was so proud of them and spent time creating adventures and sweet memories together. He showed and told Kennah everyday how much he loved her in myriad ways. He was gentle when he could be and tough when he needed to be. He would say, “I don’t want to fight, but I would rather be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war.”

Swan loved to MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH. He would tell lots of silly jokes and kept everyone either laughing with gusto or rolling their eyes. He was often full of dry humor that would make one scratch their head until they finally got it. He was bigger than life and brought a smile to all. His mischievous grin and giggle will be greatly missed.

Swan is survived by his wife, Kennah Misaka; daughters, Penelope and Brighton; parents, Angé and Robert Workman; siblings, Tara, Stephen, Katrina, Erik, Mindy, Alyssa, Mondell and their families.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary Downtown, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111. All are invited. The memorial service will be livestreamed via Zoom and can be joined by clicking the "Watch Services" button above.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at The Lodge at the Workman Ranch, 6100 South Highway 66, Morgan, Utah 84050. This will be an informal potluck where friends and family are invited to share stories.

Inurnment will be a private service to be held at a later date.