Donald Vincent Sward

Donald Vincent Sward , 79, of Longmont, died November 20, 2013 at TRU Community Care Hospice, Louisville, CO. Born in Butte, Montana in 1934, and moved to Missoula, Montana shortly thereafter. He attended Roosevelt grade school and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1953. Began college work at the Montana school of Mines in Butte, and transferred to University of Montana in 1955. Earned a BA degree in 1957 and a MA degree in 1958, both majoring in mathematics. Married to Ivanelle Brannin in 1956, and became the father of Karisa (Lynell) Symonds in 1958 and William (Bill) Sward in 1960.

He moved with his family to Seattle and joined Boeing Aircraft as a junior engineer in 1958 and continued there until 1960. Moved back to Missoula and worked as a mathematics instructor and did more class work in MSU. He then moved to Los Angeles with his family, and joined IBM Federal Systems Division in 1961. He began as a junior mathematician, and promoted to executive level program manager positions beginning in 1976.

Managed contracts for the Air Force and Navy in California, and in Virginia. Received a number of awards, including an Outstanding Achievement Award, three President’s Awards and numerous others for marketing. These awards were monetary as well as all expense paid trips to Hawaii and Bermuda. Made his final move for IBM in 1987 and located in Boulder, CO, retiring in 1991.

During 1992 through 1998 he taught at Front Range Community College and did volunteer work for the Longmont, CO police department. As a volunteer, obtained Federal grants to initiate the School Resource Officer program in two Longmont high schools. Received the Outstanding Volunteer Award in 1994.

Met Jerelene (Jerry) Rimer in 1988 and they married in 1990. Jerry’s family was located in Longmont and Pueblo, CO. Jerry and Don moved to Pueblo in 1998 and then back to Longmont in 2008.

Survivors include his wife Jerry, daughter Karisa (Danny) Symonds, son Bill Sward and step daughter Debra (John) Hernandez of Longmont. Grandchildren include Brandon, Ambrie, Skyler and Jazlyn Sward, Sara and Amy Symonds and Brian, Chris (Miranda) and Aaron (Carly) Hernandez. Also survived by cousins Michael and Kay Whitmore of Cheyenne and Will and Tracy Whitmore.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 24 at the Longmont Moose Lodge, 2210 Pratt Street.

Memorial contributions in Donald's memory are requested to TRU Community Care Hospice c/o Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman St. Longmont, CO. 80501