Major James E. Swift Sr.

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 21, 2010 and attended by Starr, a Black Labrador. Jim, 90 of Dallas, Texas was born in Bon Secour, Alabama on September 16, 1919 to parents Charles Platt and Jessie Swift. Jim was raised in Bon Secour and spent his high school years in Dallas, Texas. Jim graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas. While in high school, Jim worked for H. Grady Spruce at the downtown Dallas YMCA. H Grady Spruce mentored Jim and helped him secure a full YMCA scholarship to SMU. While at SMU, Jim was member of Delta Chi and the pre medical society. Jim graduated from SMU in August of 1942 with BA in Psychology. In September of 1942, Jim enlisted in the Army Air Corp and was commissioned a 2nd Lieut. U.S. Army Aviation. While stationed at Wright Patterson Army Air Base, he married Gladys Allen of Welch, W. VA. In August of 1963, Jim retired from the USAF at the rank of Major. After retirement from the USAF, Jim was employed as a drug/detail salesman for Lederle Labs. He retired from Lederle in 1979 and worked as a self-employed real estate broker/ developer. After retirement, he travelled extensively in Europe and Asia. Jim is preceded in death by wife, Gladys Allen. He also is preceded in death by his second wife, Connie Anderson of Oklahoma City whom he married in April of 1993. Jim is survived by and was the loving, caring father of three children: Sandy Perlstein of Princeton, Texas, Jimmy Swift of Dallas, Texas, and Becky Williams of Bedford, Texas. Jim is also survived by stepdaughter Anne Lynn Walker of Boston and four grandchildren: Paul, Jessica, Travis and Camille Ann. Jim was active in the Lovers Lane Methodist Church, Dallas Widowed Person’s Society, VFW, and ballroom dancing. The family would like to expression appreciation to those who provided comfort and care to Jim at the end of his life, Dr. H. Raja of UTSW Aston Clinic, Kayla and Roz of Home Instead Senior Care, Peter, Natalie and Heather of UT Home Health and Pam, Ed and Carolyn of St. Michael’s Hospice. Visitation will be held Monday, May 24th 6:00-8:00 p.m at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Tuesday, May 25th at 10:00 a.m.