James "Doc" Swim
October 17, 2015
James Junior “Doc” Swim, 89, was born November 1, 1925 in Chariton, Iowa to James Alec Swim and Nancy Lura Leach. He passed away Saturday, October 17, 2015.
Jim was on track to graduate with Chariton High while participating in football, when he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served from 1944 – 1946. After his release from the Navy, he returned to Chariton to graduate. He celebrated reunions with both his original and his actual graduating classes.
Jim married V. Louise Starkey in 1950 and they had two daughters. He worked for Solar Aircraft before going to Iowa Power and Light Company. He worked at the power plant before moving to the gas division, where he retired as a foreman. Jim was a longtime member of IBEW and Baldwin Patterson American Legion Post #274.
His favorite thing to do was to spend time with his family. During his lifetime, he enjoyed hunting, bowling, and fishing, and often did these activities with his family.
He is survived by his daughters, Connie (Greg) Cook and Debra (Al Thrasher) Swim; granddaughter, Sheila Goodwin; grandson, Shane (Shannon) Barnes; and great-grandchildren, Georgia and James Barnes and Elena Lopez-Barnes.
Jim is also survived by his extended family through marriage: Torbin Cook, Krystal Cook Robbins (Dan and Bella), Gregory Cook, Brianna Cook, Jason (Kali) Cook (Jalyn, Noah, and Owen), Johnathon Cook, Jason (Katie) Thrasher (Charles, Chance, and Alice), Brooke (Kurt) Ravenschlag (Josie), and Vanessa Thrasher (Rayann and Riley).
He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise and siblings, Gerald Swim, Donald Swim, Eva Hamilton, and Elzada Jacobs.
He will be missed by those who knew and loved him. The family would like to extend their thanks to those at Altoona Nursing and Rehab and Mercy Hospice who cared for Jim and gave us comfort in his later years and last days.
Services will be held at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 21, 2015. A second visitation period will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Thursday, October 22, with funeral service beginning at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Foundation or to an organization of the donor’s choice in Jim’s name.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Larry Young
10/22/2015
So sorry for your loss. I worked with Jim for many years at Iowa Power and Light. We were on the same gas crew with Ben Archer, Jim and I for several years working the east side of Des Moines and eastern towns as well. As a result we spent a lot of time riding in an old diesal truck to the job sites. At the end of the day it was usually a long ride back to the shop and Jim liked to serenade us on the way. One day we passed a house with a sign in the yard that read "Singing Canaries for Sale". Ben leaned over to me and said "do you suppose we could teach a canary to drive truck" we all laughed so hard Jim had to pull the truck over to the curb for a little bit. After Jim retired he used to sit on his front porch of his home on E 33. He never failed to recognize and acknowledge, with a wave, all he knew when they drove by his house. Remember the past and cherish your memories, I know I will, thinking of Jim.
Pat and Claudia Gathercole
10/21/2015
Deb and Al, so sorry for the loss of your dad. Our prayers are with you all for strength and support.
Denise
10/20/2015
Sheila and family, I am praying peace for you as you experience this loss of a loved one.
Ma Bolen
10/19/2015
Connie, Greg and family: I have no words to ease the pain. I only have arms to hold you, tears to cry with you and a heart that breaks with yours. Know you are not alone. Ma is here for you.