Jim Swaim
James Rufus Swaim, III, 72 years old, passed away on October 6, 2021, peacefully, in his home in Woodinville, WA. Jim was born on May 17, 1949 in Riverside California to James Swaim, Jr. and Penny Swaim (née Dorothy Weldon).
Jim married Michelle Roy on July 3, 1981 in Brea, California and together they raised 3 children. They met at their apartment complex in Anaheim while Michelle was an engineering intern at Hughes Aircraft. He proposed just before she was ready to graduate from the University of Washington to be sure she would return to California. They recently celebrated 40 “blissful” years of marriage.
In his youth, Jim loved playing baseball, football, and surfing. He cherished his opportunity to compete in a surfing competition in Hawaii at 16 years old. Jim graduated from Oceanside High School and after completing his military service, he attended Santa Barbara City College and graduated Magna Cum Laude at the University of California at San Diego.
Jim was a Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, serving as an Air Traffic Controller in Thailand in the Vietnam War. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal for his handling of an emergency situation as a fleet of embattled planes came in to find room to land on the single runway.
Jim and Michelle had a home in Dana Point, California where they enjoyed good food, coffee, and strolls at the harbor with the kids. They had 3 children while living there. Shortly after the youngest was born, they moved to Michelle’s home state of Washington to raise their kids and be closer to Michelle’s family. They bought a home outside of Woodinville, WA where Jim enjoyed watching the wildlife visit his backyard.
Jim worked as a National Sales Manager for computer technology companies before starting his own business as a commercial mortgage representative.
Jim is survived by his mother Penny Oxley, his brothers Dennis Rogers and Jamie Swaim, his stepsister Jaima Kennedy, his wife, Michelle Swaim (née Roy), 3 children, Sean Swaim, Alasandra McGrath, and Selena Marzahl.
An honor service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to World Vision. St. Jude is another charity that Jim supported, if you are so inclined.
Update: The service will be at Tahoma National Cemetery on November 19, 2021 at 12:30.
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