John D. Swoda

John Douglas Swoda, 80, of Beaumont, California, passed away at home due to illness on December 18, 2011. He lived in Beaumont for the past 42 years. John was born to John and Rita (Swoda) in Madison, Wisconsin on July 4, 1931. In July 1948, John enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) and served our country for over twenty-one years. He was a Korean War veteran and was awarded the Korean War Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars. John achieved a rank of Chief Master Sergeant before his retirement in October of 1969. His other decorations also include but not limited to the Air Force(AF) Commendation Medal, Distinguished/Presidential Unit Citation with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf clusters, AF Longevity Service Award with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and the United Nations Service Medal. After Johns retirement from the USAF, He was employed by the city of Beaumont as the Vehicle Maintenance and Transportation Superintendent and retired in January of 1994 after twenty-three years of dedicated service. While in this position he also served as a interim City Manager on numerous occasions. Following his second retirement, John then served as a full time volunteer at the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church of Beaumont for seventeen years. John was preceeded in death by his parents and his son John R. Swoda. Survivors include his wife of sixty years Margaret Swoda; his sister Carol Newland; his sons , Charles Swoda, and Paul Swoda; his daughter Mary Swoda and his daughter in law Birgit Swoda. Grandchildren include Natalie Galloway, John Swoda, Jacob Swoda, Derek Johnson, Misty Swoda, Veronica Tafoya, Rachel Tafoya, and Charles Swoda. He also had eight great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, from 4:00 to 8:00 at Weaver Mortuary Chapel, 1177 Beaumont Ave, Beaumont. Funeral Mass will be held at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, Beaumont, California, Wednesday December 28, 2011, at 10:00 am. Burial to follow at Riverside National Cemetery, Staging Area #3, Riverside, CA. Arrangements under the direction of Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, CA.