James Swift

Date of Birth

Aug 19,1935

Date of Death

Dec 09,2015

James “Jim” Swift, age 80, of Sugar Grove, IL, passed away unexpectedly at Delnor Hospital, Wednesday, December 9, 2015.

He was born August 19, 1935, in Aurora, IL, the son of Frederick and Grace (Cartee) Swift.

Jim grew up in Geneva until the 5th grade until his family purchased a home on Smith Rd. in Elburn. He finished his schooling when he graduated from Elburn High School with the class of 1953.

Before leaving his alma mater, Jim was a member of the first football team for Elburn, back when six men played both offense and defense.

While still in high school, Jim was a proud member of the United States Naval Reserve Upon graduation, Jim transferred into active service and spent the next few years as a Seabee building the new Marine air base in Iwakuni, Japan. He was honorably discharged in December of 1955 but continued as an active reservist for 16 more years. He returned to civilian life in Elburn, and his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Whildin.

The love that bloomed in the halls of their high school, matured into a bond that would never be put asunder when they were united in marriage on March 25, 1956, at the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church.

They began their newlywed life over the Swift Service Station, then at the corner of Rt. 47 and Rt. 38, for several years before “switching” with Jim’s parents in 1957. Jim and Marilyn moved to Jim’s boyhood home, while his parents moved to the service station. Following the passing of Marilyn’s father, they moved back to her childhood farm for the next 15 years before finally settling in their present home in Sugar Grove.

Jim’s hands were made for labor, and he began his career early on in Stover’s Blacksmith before becoming an apprentice in the Iron Workers Union, #393 in 1957. Because of his history at Stover’s, Jim transitioned to a full fledged member quickly and began moving machinery, building bridges and walking on beams. Jim also was a hard working farmer, coming home from the job, putting on a hat and tended his fields in Elburn. He retiried from the union in 2000. Farming stayed in his blood until the last sunset, putting to bed the everlasting love he had for his land.

Jim was a proud member of the Iron Workers Union, #393, Elburn American Legion, Post #630 and the Fox Valley Harley Davidson Club.

Jim was a man whose heart was larger than life and strong hands that never stopped working. He had a love of motorcycles that began in high school and lasted a lifetime. Almost nothing could compare to the feeling he had riding the wind, nothing except the love of his sweetheart and the iron clad rule of her father that Marilyn not ride with him. It was only much later in life that he convinced her to jump back on the road, traveling the roads of his youth as well as on vacations at Lake Placid. Great memories were also made at their cottage on Lake Koshkonkong, WI, near Ft. Atkinson. This single story cottage was raised to a two-story permanent home, with all the work proudly done by Jim, his family and friends, until a microburst ripped the entire roof off of the cottage, and along with it, some of Jim’s pride, as he had to have professionals come in.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Marilyn Swift; Two children: Gloria (Jeff) Gordon and Charlie Swift; Three grandchildren: Jennifer Peterson, Adam Gordon and Eric Gordon; One great-grandson, Justin Peterson; Two siblings: Sylvia (Bob) Wilson and Fred Swift; Brothers-in-law, Everett (Kathy) Whildin and Wendell (Kathy) Harley; Sisters-in-law: Kay Swift and Barbara Swift; numerous nieces, nephews and a community of friends who will miss him dearly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Grace; Two brothers: Henry and Donald Swift; One sister, Marilyn Harley; and daughter-in-law, Jane Swift.

Visitation will be from 10-noon, with a memorial service to celebrate his life at 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Rev. Dave Bateman will officiate with private family interment to follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Jim’s name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the “James Swift Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 10-noon, with a memorial service to celebrate his life at 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Rev. Dave Bateman will officiate with private family interment to follow at a later date.

Visitation will be from 10-noon, with a memorial service to celebrate his life at 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Rev. Dave Bateman will officiate with private family interment to follow at a later date.

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