John Raymond Swift

On April 27, 2016, the world lost a good man.  John (Jack) Raymond Swift of Canon City, Colorado left this world to continue on his journey with his Heavenly Father.  He was surrounded in his final days by the family that loved him dearly: his wife of 60 years, Carolyne Rawlinson Swift; his children, John (Kathy) Swift of Rathdrum, Idaho, Linda (Bill) Bay of Canon City, Mike (Debbie) Swift of Colorado Springs, and Adele Swift (Mark Dewey) of Canon City; his grandchildren, Joshua Swift of Pueblo West, Jennifer (Dan) Beck, and Mackey Swift both of Colorado Springs.

He will be missed by his two brothers, Pastor Virgil (Lorraine) Swift of Claremore, Oklahoma, and Pastor Robert Swift of Pueblo, as well as his sister, Marilyn Swift Palovich of Trinidad, sister-in-law, Bobbie Rawlinson Wheatley of Fallbrook, California, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was met in heaven by his paternal grandparents, Hugh Virgil and Della (Brady) Swift, maternal grandparents Fred and Pauline (Weipretch) Kirkland, his parents, Raymond Leon and Ruth (Kirkland) Swift, and step-mother, Mary Swigle Swift; as well as his brother-in-law, Joe Palovich and sister-in-law, Dorothy Swift.

Jack was born in a little white house on Washington Avenue in Trinidad, Colorado on July 17, 1934.  He spent much of his childhood at his grandparent’s ranch near Gulnar, Colorado. During his teen years, he attended Trinidad High School, worked with his father at Grady Kendal’s bakery in Trinidad and in the summers at Monument Lake along-side his Grandfather. He joined the Navy at 17 and served his country as a Petty Officer 3rd Class, seeing action on the USS Thomason during the Korean War. Other duty stations were the USS Falgout, USS Perkins and US Naval Air Station El Centro.  He attended Trinidad State Jr. College and Southern Colorado State College to study engineering and continued to serve his country as a Civil Engineer Technician and Range Conservation Technician for the Bureau of Land Management until his retirement in 1995. After his retirement he and his wife traveled the country for many years in their motor home.  He was a member of several RV’ing groups and a lifetime member of the VFW.  Cooking came naturally to Jack and he enjoyed sharing his talents with his family and friends.  He also enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, and caring for the wilderness and his rose garden. He loved to work with his hands making wood and leather crafts.  He was kind to all, honest, and compassionate to those in need.  He was a role model to all that knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Sangre de Cristo Hospice and Palliative Care, 1207 Pueblo Blvd Way, Pueblo, CO 81005.The Swift Family is extremely grateful for the loving care and support provided to Jack by Sangre de Cristo West in Canon City and by the Joni Fair Hospice House in Pueblo.

A family and friend’s pot-luck gathering will take place to celebrate his life at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Mountain View Park, 922 N. Orchard, Canon City, CO 81212.  The coffee pot will be ready.

Arrangements entrusted to Harwood Funeral Home.  Online Condolences at Harwoodfunerals.c

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