A man of honor, Lt. Colonel Jack R. Swigart, was given a new set of wings Friday morning, January 15, 2016, at Heartland of Marion. He was 91 years old.
On July 19, 1924, Jack was born in Marion, Ohio, one of two children of the late Richard and Lillan (Forrey) Swigart. As a family, they moved to Rittman, Ohio, when he was a teenager, where he graduated from Rittman High School in the class of 1942.
Shortly following graduation, Jack enlisted to serve his beloved country in the United States Army Air Corp., which later became the U.S. Air Force. He served as both a fighter pilot and a tactical air lift pilot during the occupation of Japan in World War II.
Jack married Genevieve M. Graham on June 16, 1946. Together they shared 55 years of marriage, and raised three children: Michael, Deborah and Randall. She preceded him in death on July 17, 2001.
After serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for several years, Jack returned to flying with the Air Force, at the Clinton County Air Force Base in Wilmington, Ohio, and later helping transfer Rickenbacker Air Force Base to the Air National Guard in 1980. In total, he served for over 30 years, earning the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was a member of the Retired Officer’s Association, Air Force Association, Patterson Air Force Base Officer’s Club, and a former member of the Exchange Club.
Following his military career, Jack also worked at the Juvenile Detention Center in Marion, as an assistant to Judge Jenkins. He officially retired from work in 1988.
An avid lover of pets, Jack had many canine companions over the years, with his most recent being his beloved dog, Callie. He also enjoyed watching football, notably the Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio State Buckeyes. He was a collector of many many things, and was always ready to get up and go on an excursion.
Throughout Jack’s life, his main love was flying. He could fly anything anywhere. He will also be remembered for humor. He was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marion.
Left to cherish his memory are his three children: Michael (Amy) Swigart of Hamilton, OH, Deborah Combs of Marion, and Randall (Terri) Swigart of Michigan; five grandchildren: Spencer and Leigh Swigart, Erin and Stanton Combs, and Sydney Swigart; one great-grandson, Jase; a nephew, Jeff Lyday; and several great nieces and nephews.
Including his wife and parents, Jack was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Lou Lyday.
His family will greet friends from 11 a.m. to Noon on Tuesday, January 19th, at the Gunder/Hall & Snyder Funeral Home, 347 W. Center St., Marion. Services honoring his life will follow there at Noon, with Rev. Craig Lewis officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow in Grand Prairie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Gunder/Hall & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Jacks’ family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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