Thomas Wayne Swift, 71, of Norman, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at Norman Regional Hospital.
Services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, at Riverlife Church of God at 910 S. Santa Fe in Moore. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Norman.
He was born Oct. 7, 1940, in Modesto, Calif., to William and Maude Swift. He was the middle child of three sons. His older brother Wes was a great example to him. He tried to emulate everything that he did. His younger brother, Bart, was always tagging along to be part of their adventures.
Tom spent most of his child hood in Fillmore, Calif. Tom participated in numerous activities including FFA, church and the school band. He graduated from Fillmore High School, the home of the Flashes, in 1958.
In 1964, Tom married his long time sweetheart, Linda Carol Robbins. He pursued her for six years before she finally caved in to his romantic persuasions. He knew early on that she was such a special person that he bought her a necklace with a promise ring pendant on it when she was in the seventh grade. She proudly still wears that necklace to this day.
Tom started his career with Pacific Bell in 1964 as an accounting assistant. He worked for the Bell Companies until his retirement in 1991. Tom’s career path and his success was driven by his insatiable appetite for learning. He loved to read and share books on management and leadership. He attended New York University (NYU) later in his career.
The family moved from Southern California to Edmond in 1977. They moved to “Breakaway Acres” in Shawnee in 1978. Tom was very active in the activities and hobbies of their two sons including BMX racing, sports, school, etc.
Tom and Linda were longtime members at Evangelistic Center in Shawnee. They were actively involved in Children’s Ministry for several years. He was also very involved in the Passion Play production held at the church. He loved to be involved in the design and construction of the entire project to construct the theater and spent many hours working behind the scenes. He fondly talked about how much being involved in this ministry meant to him and allowing him to utilize his talents for God’s Kingdom.
Upon retirement, they moved to Oklahoma City then to Norman where they have resided for the last 10 years.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of over 47 years, Linda; two sons and daughter in laws, David and Jennifer Swift of Oklahoma City and Brent and Alisse Swift of Norman; two grand children, Zach and Hannah of Oklahoma City; their soon to be born grandson, Stone; brother and sister in law Bart and Eva Swift of Bakersfield, Calif.
The family would like to thank all of his doctors and nurses that he has had the pleasure to get to know over the last several years. A special thanks to Dr. Ballard and her staff at the Norman Clinic for their compassionate care. Also to the ICU nursing staff that cared for Tom during his last few days. Kelly, Ashley, Jennifer and Dovie showed such grace and compassion to him and the entire family. Words cannot express how we feel for allowing us to spend those precious moments with him at his bedside. Arrangements are under the direction of John Ireland Funeral Home.
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Thomas Wayne Swift, 71, of Norman, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at Norman Regional Hospital.
Services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, at Riverlife Church of God at 910 S. Santa Fe in Moore. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Norman.
He was born Oct. 7, 1940, in Modesto, Calif., to William and Maude Swift. He was the middle child of three sons. His older brother Wes was a great example to him. He tried to emulate everything that he did. His younger brother, Bart, was always tagging along to be part of their adventures.
Tom spent most of his child hood in Fillmore, Calif. Tom participated in numerous activities including FFA, church and the school band. He graduated from Fillmore High School, the home of the Flashes, in 1958.
In 1964, Tom married his long time sweetheart, Linda Carol Robbins. He pursued her for six years before she finally caved in to his romantic persuasions. He knew early on that she was such a special person that he bought her a necklace with a promise ring pendant on it when she was in the seventh grade. She proudly still wears that necklace to this day.
Tom started his career with Pacific Bell in 1964 as an accounting assistant. He worked for the Bell Companies until his retirement in 1991. Tom’s career path and his success was driven by his insatiable appetite for learning. He loved to read and share books on management and leadership. He attended New York University (NYU) later in his career.
The family moved from Southern California to Edmond in 1977. They moved to “Breakaway Acres” in Shawnee in 1978. Tom was very active in the activities and hobbies of their two sons including BMX racing, sports, school, etc.
Tom and Linda were longtime members at Evangelistic Center in Shawnee. They were actively involved in Children’s Ministry for several years. He was also very involved in the Passion Play production held at the church. He loved to be involved in the design and construction of the entire project to construct the theater and spent many hours working behind the scenes. He fondly talked about how much being involved in this ministry meant to him and allowing him to utilize his talents for God’s Kingdom.
Upon retirement, they moved to Oklahoma City then to Norman where they have resided for the last 10 years.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of over 47 years, Linda; two sons and daughter in laws, David and Jennifer Swift of Oklahoma City and Brent and Alisse Swift of Norman; two grand children, Zach and Hannah of Oklahoma City; their soon to be born grandson, Stone; brother and sister in law Bart and Eva Swift of Bakersfield, Calif.
The family would like to thank all of his doctors and nurses that he has had the pleasure to get to know over the last several years. A special thanks to Dr. Ballard and her staff at the Norman Clinic for their compassionate care. Also to the ICU nursing staff that cared for Tom during his last few days. Kelly, Ashley, Jennifer and Dovie showed such grace and compassion to him and the entire family. Words cannot express how we feel for allowing us to spend those precious moments with him at his bedside. Arrangements are under the direction of John Ireland Funeral Home.
