Benjamin Franklin Swift Jr.

Benjamin Franklin Swift, Jr. was born May 2, 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio, the seventh child of eleven children of the late Benjamin Franklin and Louise (Denison) Swift. He passed from this life on September 27, 2017 at his home in Denver, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by His Parents: two brothers; Joseph Swift and John Swift: four sisters; Barbara Harris, Ethel Wilson, Agnes Ott, and Reverend Janet Swift.

He leaves to mourn him, two sisters; Mary Howard of Conneaut, Ohio; and Mattie Bosley of Baltimore, Maryland: and two brothers; Louis Swift of Denver, Colorado and William Swift of Lynn Haven, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He attended grammar and junior high school in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Conneaut Ohio High School in 1955. While in high school, he starred on the Football Team as a running back and on the Track Team. In Track and Field, he competed in the 100-yard and 220-yard dash and the 4X100 yard Relay. He set school records in the 100-yard dash with times under10 seconds. He won Gold Medals in local meets in which he competed for which he was invited to compete in several invitational meets featuring teams from across the State of Ohio and the region, (the Mentor Ohio Relays), at which he won Silver Medals in the 100-yard dash and the 220-yard dash and the Gold Medal in the 4X100 Relay.

Following graduation from high school he joined the Army and was stationed in Germany where he continued his Track competition being classified as a World Class Sprinter. He won several medals in competition in the Army. While his service prevented his competing in the 1960 Olympic trials, his perennial close competitor (Ira Murchison) placed 4th in the 100-yard dash at the 1960 games.

He served as a Military Policeman investigating traffic accidents and controlled traffic flow on the base and in surrounding communities. He received several Commendations for performance of his duties. He was also trained in and was certificated in Typing.

Leaving the Army in 1958 he returned to Cleveland where he trained in the Chemistry of Dry Cleaning and worked in the Dry Cleaning and Dyeing Industry until he relocated to Denver, Colorado.

In Denver, he worked for Union Chemical and Mining Supply Co. supplying chemicals to Mining Companies in the Rocky Mountain region until he retired.

He was a lifelong Bachelor living in his last apartment for years. He earned certificates in computer operation in classes in the senior building where he lived. He was active on Facebook and MSN.

His favorite Bible Verse whereby he lived: 1Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, Thornton, CO.