Obituary of J. (James) Roger Swart

J. Roger Swart, 86, formerly of Millcreek, PA, Died Monday May 11, 2020. He was born in Jamestown, April 24, 1934, a son of E. Clemence and Norma Graves Swart. Mr. Swart was a graduate of Panama Central School and Baldwin Wallace College with graduate studies at Ohio University. He served in the US Army as Operations and Intelligence Specialist at Fort Bliss, TX and Fort Richardson, Alaska. Employed by GTE/Verizon for over 35 yers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Indiana, he retired in 1996. He has since enjoyed regular breakfasts and luncheons with fellow retirees. Mr. Swart had been a member and officer of several service, fraternal and political organizations. An Army veteran of the Korean War era, he had a keen interest in family veterans of the Revolution and Civil Wars. He worked extensively on the family tree which was published in two volumes. A highlight of his life with his wife Karen was returning to Alaska, driving round-trip, in celebration of the Golden Wedding Anniversary. They went to the chapel at Fort Richardson where they were married, to their first home in Mountain View and to the Battalion and Group Headquarters where he served. Raised on a farm, he never lost his love of nature, in all its seasons. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he enjoyed music and reading from his extensive libraries. No trip or vacation was complete without visits to historical sites. Surviving is a daughter Cynthia Holley and her husband Richard; six grandchildren Brandon, Ashley, Robert, Joshua and Katelyn Holley and Brett Swart; one sister Eloise Smith and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters Marlene and Marie and his wife of 68 years Karen Swart and a son Greg Swart. Due to the restrictions of the pandemic a private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.