Sidney Arthur McSwain

Sidney Arthur McSwain was born in Amarillo, Texas on November 3, 1932 the only son of Arthur Barker McSwain and Ruth Kerr McSwain. He is a direct descendant of tough, hard-driving Texas pioneers - fiercely proud and independent - ready at the drop of a hat to fight the Devil himself to defend their God, their country, their family, or their honor.

Growing up, Sid was mechanically inclined - loved building things like hot rod cars and racing them at break neck speed, risking life and limb for all involved. Also throughly enjoyed taking apart perfectly good products just for the challenge of putting them back together. He worked hard sometimes in his dad's machine shop, or at other dirty, heavy-lifting kind of jobs, but always managed to have loads of fun with his buddies out on the Texas Prairie.

Enlisted in U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and flew as an aerial gunner on B-29 bombers. He later completed the Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program. Early on in his Air Force career as a pilot, he was assigned to a Ferrying Squadron delivering various airplanes to many different countries all around the world. He tells us he "flew a lot of two-engine airplanes over four-engine oceans," but visited exciting exotic places and met many fascinating people.

He served as the C-130 Combat Standardization Pilot for C-130 combat airlift and airdrop operations in Vietnam during 1968. He received the Bronze Star, Air Medal and other commendations during that tour of duty.

Later served on the Operations Planning staffs at Tactical Air Command and Military Airlift Command.

Sid is a life member of The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). He was founding President of San Diego Chapter of National Association of Uniformed Services (NAUS). In his retirement years in San Diego, he worked tirelessly with legislators to obtain and protect retiree's health care benefits. Also, he, together with other local activists, brought about the reduction of airport noise at Lindbergh Field.

In the late 50's Sid met and married beautiful Dorothy Stallings who was also a member of the U.S. Air Force. From that union their son and Sid's namesake William Sidney McSwain arrived on January 10, 1961. Unfortunately, that was during the exact time President Eisenhower had ordered Sid's squadron to Manila, Philippines, to put a damper on a nasty uprising in Laos (Military wives should be awarded medals, too).

Sid was graduated with a B.S. degree and a 4.0 GPA while on full active duty in Tennessee. Dorothy was challenged in keeping son Bill quiet while Dad studied nights and weekends to accomplish that goal.

A few years later, chance brought Sid delivering a plane to Camp Pendleton, California. Because they had to hold over for a couple of days, the officer in charge suggested Sid and his crew take a run into San Diego and look around. They did, and Sid promptly fell in love with Coronado. He decided right then that, when he retired, he and his family would become Coronado residents.

Sid passed away quietly and unexpectedly at home January 28, 2015. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Margie Butterfield. Also his first wife Dorothy McSwain. He is survived by sister Mary Ruth Savage, nephew Stuart Savage, niece Serena Precht (Frank) and their children Natalie and Dillon Precht; nephews Jay Adams (Elaine) and Kenneth Butterfield (Joan). Sid's son William Sidney (Bill) McSwain, his wife Alicia and their daughters Elena, Estelle and Eliza still make their home in Sid's beloved Coronado and will carry forth his heritage. Sid is also survived by his present wife and best friend Lauri McSwain who would like to remind all that the powerful radiation of life from that person you love can be gone like a whisper of hummingbird wings the very instant God calls to us.

On many occasions Sid has confided to friends that he has enjoyed a wonderful, exciting, satisfying life and feels blessed by God every day that he lives. Blessed with a precious family to carry on. Grateful for all the fun times, the tough challenges met, all the dear wonderful friends - the ones still here - and those long gone - including many brave aviators who died defending their country...especially grateful to them. Now, with lots of love, it's time to say Good-Bye.