Name: Roselawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park
Address: Terre Haute, IN

My dad was born on September 4th, 1956, to Doris and Jim Swift in Terre Haute, Indiana. After finishing high school, he attended Indiana State University, where he finished his bachelor’s degree by working multiple jobs during the year and the summer, to save enough to pay for each semester.
This is also where he met our mom, Joanne. They were married in 1983 before moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where my dad took a job making paint. After moving between a few different jobs, he found a position as a safety trainer with Michigan’s occupational safety and health administration, where he worked for almost 30 years. After retiring from OSHA, he went back to work as the Safety Director at Lacks Enterprises, a chrome plating company, where he revitalized their safety programs.
Our dad took an enormous amount of pride in his work. While at OSHA, he would receive emails whenever anyone was injured in the state of Michigan. I think he took a lot of those injuries personally, and he worked hard to create environments that protected people. I’ve always been proud thinking of the lives that were changed for the better because of my dad.
His wife, Joanne, passed away suddenly in 1997. At the time, I was only 6, while my sister was 2 years old. It is impossible for me to understand how difficult this was for my dad. I think that there are a lot of people who wouldn’t have been able to handle becoming a single parent so suddenly. Our dad worked very hard to ensure that Rachel and I were happy and safe. He made a point to always buy us nice clothes, provide us with home-cooked meals, sign us up for clubs and hobbies, and help us with our schoolwork whenever he could. It is hard for me to think of any ways anyone could have done a better job, and I’m so sad that my nieces, his granddaughters, Josie and Noelle, will not have the opportunity to know him.

I met Jerry when he did a safety audit at one of my plants - Jerry  came in and found some issues but unlike most of my previous  inspectors, Jerry then turned into an educator and helped is solve the violations he found.  That started a relationship with Lacks Enterprises that would lead to Jerry becoming our Safety Director after he retired from MIOSHA.   Jerry  implemented his five pillars of a safety program, continued his education of me and led our organization to a safety record second to none.  Along the way he became a trusted friend and someone I will truly miss.

Jerry was a very honest and kind man. I had the opportunity to work for Jerry for 4 years at Lacks Enterprises. I learned a lot from him and we become good friends. Always enjoyed sitting down and having a Sam Adam’s  with him. Jerry will be missed

We miss you and your friendship. Every time I have a Sam Adams I will have one for you.

From all the staff at Sunset King we send our condolences to the family during this time. Jerry will be missed.

Jerry got me started in karate at the YMCA when we met as sophmores and introduced me to a lifelong hobby.  Sorry to here of his many challanges life through at him, and his passing.  He was good people.

I remember Jerry from high school, same class as me at South. Nice guy,  always with a smile on his face. I also remember his brother, Mike.  I’m sorry for your loss. RIP.

May the Peace of the Lord be with you now and always James and Rachel and your families.   We will always have our memories of Jerry in our hearts.  I must share a great memory of Jerry here.  We, my wife Debbie, were always cooking something at camp in Florida.  As you know, Jerry did not cook much at least Southern style, so we would share with him.  He loved dried white beans, great northern and navy.  We always cooked ours using cured country ham: ham that is salt cured and smoked for preservation.   Jerry loved them.  He tried cooking some beans with deli ham, but it did have not the flavor.   So, I gave him some country ham that we had with us.  He then made good beans.  The next summer, Jerry flew down to visit us and to get some salt cured, smoked country ham.  We love Jerry and he will always be in our hearts.

OBITUARIO

Jerry Lee Swift

4 septiembre, 1956 – 9 julio, 2025

Roselawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park

Muestre su apoyo

Comparta Un Recuerdo

Comparta
Un Obituario

Obtenga actualizaciones

Servicios