Jack Swaim (US Army Colonel, Retired) passed away on April 11, 2014 in Houston, TX at the age of 94. In fairness, we should note that he likely would have disputed this statement; he regularly made claim to being only 23 by virtue of his birth date occurring only once every 4 years. Jack was born in Helena, Arkansas to Eunice Bennett and Neville Preston Swaim, and spent his childhood there and in Arkadelphia. After graduating from Ouachita Baptist College, he served in the US Army Infantry for over 30 years before retiring to San Antonio, where he remained for another 40 years. His military career was distinguished by many honors, most notably the Distinguished Service Cross for acts of extraordinary heroism in action during WWII. Jack was employed as a chemist prior to entering the military; he had a voracious appetite for knowledge and self-education in a range of topics from physics to poetry (a shared interest with his sister Neville Saylor, both inspired by Lily Peter in their youth). During his ‘spare time’ he acquired a Master’s Degree in International Affairs at The George Washington University, and taught American History in Alaska. After his retirement from the Army, he indulged his passions by engaging in environmental remediation research projects at Trinity University and UTSA, as well as teaching science and math at St. Anthony High School. Jack’s wife of more than 30 years, Maria Kunigunda Dotterweich (of Bamberg, Germany – ‘Gunda’ to her friends and family), passed away in 1985. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Frances Crabtree, Lucille Herrington, Jeanne Davis, and Neville Saylor. He is survived by three sons, Thomas Preston, Patrick Lee, and Richard Allan Swaim.

Jack and Maria will be interred together at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 10AM, in a ceremony with full military honors. In keeping with Jack’s interests, the family suggests donations in his name to National Public Radio or the Public Broadcasting System in lieu of flowers. Friends of Jack may be interested in viewing and contributing to a pictorial memorial of his life under construction at https://jackswaimslife.shutterfly.com.