Daniel Lawrence Swist

Daniel Lawrence Swist, age 78, of Lake Jackson passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024 surrounded by family and friends. He was born on August 26, 1945, to the late John and Julia Swist in Palmer, Massachusetts. After graduating from Palmer High School, Dan received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Northeastern University in June 1968. A week later, on June 22nd, he married his high school sweetheart, Anne Marie (Bunny) Dupuis.

After receiving his draft notice, Dan instead followed his siblings and enlisted in the Navy. He always wanted to fly so he applied and was accepted into the US Naval Flight School (Pensacola, Florida). In October 1970, Dan received his wings and was commissioned as an officer (Ensign). He was stationed in Norfolk, VA, and served on the USS Independence until his naval career ended as a Lieutenant JG in October 1974.

Dan started his second career as a chemical engineer at Reynolds Metals (Massena, NY) before transferring to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1979. He moved his family to Lake Jackson, Texas in 1985 to work for Rhone Poulenc. Dan worked at a few other petrochemical companies in the area before his retirement in 2012.

Dan was always athletic and tried different sports throughout his life. He was an avid Houston sports fan and loved cheering on his teams. He coached his children's baseball teams and was a baseball umpire for several years. Dan was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing whenever he got the chance.

Dan was proud to be a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church since coming to Freeport/Lake Jackson. As a 4th Degree Knight, he was very active in the Knights of Columbus. Dan also led the rosary before the daily mass, Divine Mercy afterward, and led Wednesday and Saturday chapel hours. He was always willing to volunteer when a substitute was needed.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Anne Marie, their sons (spouses): Douglas (Marilyn), Andrew (Brian), and David (Jihyoung Baek), grandchildren: Emily, Brian, Noah, and Noelle, brother (spouse): John (Dorothy), sister-in-law: Teresa Swist, Theresa Swist, Marilyn Frost, and Joyce O'Neil, as well as many nieces and nephews. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, John and Julia Swist, brothers: Stanley, Emil, Rudy, and Albert, and sister: Theresa (Swist) Mullin.

A wake will be Wednesday, March 13, 2024, from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at St Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 100 Oak Drive South. The Rosary begins at 7 pm. The funeral mass will be on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 11:00 am at St Michael's. Burial with military honors will be Monday, March 18, 2024, at 11:15 am at Houston National Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, please consider donations to St. Michael The Archangel Catholic Church's new chapel fund.