Jim was born on a small farm outside Farmington, Arkansas to Mattie and Elmer Swift; the third child of four & last surviving child from this union.

He started service to his country with the USAF, spending 8 years in Alaska at a radar site. He worked for Southern Pacific RR surveying track & supervising crews. And then resumed service to his country working for the USFS for 20 years (El Dorado, Modoc, Tongass, Olympic & Mt.Baker-Snoqualmie NF) in Engineering running survey crews and designing timber sale roads.

Jim met the love of his life, Sharon, set up on a blind date in Reno by mutual friends. That led to a whirlwind courtship and they were married in 1965. They bowled together with best friends Duane & Marty in a mixed foursome & Senior Travel leagues for years winning many trophies. Jim bowled a 299 game earning a ring for which he was very proud. Jim loved fishing both stream & salt-water and shared that passion with his family. Jim & Sharon belonged to Enumclaw Golf Clubs enjoying golfing with friend and competing in tournaments. While working in the woods he took up Burl hunting & making beautiful clocks/tables.

Over the past 5 years, Jim’s health deteriorated until he passed away peacefully at home with his family present to watch him leave this earth to meet his family in Heaven. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Elmer and Bill, sister Margie, daughter Deb Alexander, grandson Bryan Herbert, nephews Barry and Tim and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sharon Swift, daughters Melissa, Teresa, Jami & Stacy and their husbands, 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and many other relatives.

He will be interred at Tahoma National Cemetery in Covington, WA on October 10th, 2019 @ 1:30 p.m. in honor of his service in the Korean War.