James 'Jim' Swift

On February 1st, 2023, 6:23P.M. EST, James "Jim" Eldon Swift moved on from this Earth and went to what he referred to in the weeks before his departure as "home". He was surrounded by his family and close friends. As the days have gone by, and countless messages from those who loved him have come pouring in, and as his family and friends gathered around to share stories and memories, two things have become quite clear: he was loved, and he truly lived. Jim was only 57 years old. He had spent the prior 7 months putting up the fight of his life and he certainly "went down swinging". He said many times during those 7 months that he was fighting for the loves of his life: his wife Debbie and his seventeen-year-old daughter, Sammy Jo. Though the people who knew him would all agree that 57 years was not long enough, they would also agree that those years were filled with enough love and laughter to last a lifetime. Jim was so many things, but boring was never one of them. From his youth all the way through the last weeks of his life on Earth, he was funny, selfless when it came to family and friends, and just the right kind of crazy. For some, it goes much deeper than that. In his wifes words, "What is a legend? If I had to describe a legend, it would be an extraordinary man. A man of great character. A man of integrity. A man with a moral compass that runs so deeply in his soul. An honest man. A man who always played by the rules, one who led by example, whether it was his love for life, the exceptional love that he gave his wife, his never-ending love, and the dedication to his daughter, always there supporting and encouraging her through whatever it was that she wanted to take on. He never skipped out on a dance recital, a softball practice or game, a volleyball game, always being a timer at a swim meet, and even suffering through being a client at the little girl spa birthday parties to get his toenails painted. Whether it was lunchtime or not, and he had to make it back from an hour or more away from seeing a customer to get to a school event, he showed up. He ALWAYS showed up to help and support his family and friends, whether to just fix it or move something heavy, or to just hang out to be the life of the party for a cookout and a cold one. One with a stellar career for the past almost 35 years. A man who not only has hundreds of customers, but those customers always became his friend. A man who never met a stranger. If you had any interaction with him, you instantly loved him. A man who always took great pride in his home, vehicles, and lawn. (I'm certain he would mow even when it didn't need it. Or to just get a break from the nagging wife). A man who never left a stone unturned. If it needed to be done, he did it. He planned. He prepared. HE GAVE IT HIS ALL. TO THE VERY END. If I had to describe A LEGEND, an EXCEPTIONAL man, that LEGEND that I am describing is my husband. A father, a son, grandfather, a brother, a son in law, an uncle, and everyones friend: James Eldon Swift, June 20, 1965- February 1, 2023." Though it was far too short, Jim led an incredible life. At the end of his life, he was living in Covington, Indiana, but he was born and raised in Decatur, Illinois, and lived most of his years in Danville, Illinois. He spent his youth attending military school, playing various instruments in the marching band, wrecking numerous cars, working as soon as he was old enough to, and making people laugh. During his college years, the crazy continued, but so did the love. As his best friend from college said, "He was one of a kind, special, and he loved unconditionally. Anyone who got to be his friend was blessed." Jim graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics. He then landed his first job with Bodine Electric of Decatur as an Electrical Sales Engineer in April of 1989. He eventually moved to the Danville location and spent the next 35 years making a career out of building and maintaining relationships with countless people who would grow to love him and consider him to be a friend. In 2001, he met the woman who would become his wife and mother of his child, and her daughter Brittany, whom he welcomed into his life with open arms right along with her. Sammy Jo was born in 2005 and everyone around him watched Jim transform into the biggest teddy bear, totally enamored by his baby girl. He loved her more than anything in the world and provided her with the best (almost) 18 years she could have had with him. Jim was a faithful St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He could also often be found watching numerous college sports. He also enjoyed many trips to the Talladega Motor Speedway rooting for his favorite NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett. He enjoyed several years cruising around with his wife on their Harley Davidson motorcycles with their friends, as well as taking trips with his buddies from Decatur to ride his 4-Wheeler off-road. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James E. Swift and Judith L. Swift of Ft. Myers, Florida, formerly of Decatur, Illinois. He is survived by his wife Debra K. Swift (Setser) and daughter Samantha J. Swift, both of Covington, Indiana, formerly of Danville, Illinois. He is also survived by his step-daughter Brittany M. Haney (Armstrong), son-in-law George M. Haney, grand-daughter Zoey M. Haney, all of Danville, Illinois, sister Jane A. Mann (Steve) of Herrin, Illinois, nephew Drew J. Ringel and niece Karli J. Mann, both of Herrin Illinois, an aunt Debra A. Lange (James) of Waukesha, Wisconsin, an uncle Dave Robinson (Debbie) of Hayward, Wisconsin, father-in law and mother-in-law Earl and Lucy Setser of Danville, Illinois, his best friends Derek J. Bowman (Lisa) of Decatur, Illinois, and Timothy M. Heinrichs of Danville, Illinois. Jim was a favorite uncle of many other nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind many other cousins, brothers and sisters-in law, and numerous family members who love him. Lastly, he leaves behind far too many special friends to mention, but all of his friends were like family to him. In his final days, he wanted his wife to make sure they knew he loved them all dearly. Jim will forever be deeply missed. If you are among those who know and love him, there will be a celebration of life February 25th at 5:00P.M. at The Gao Grotto in Danville, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Gao Grotto Humanitarian Fund. Donations can be dropped off in person or mailed to P.O. BOX 375 Danville, Il 61834-0375. His arrangements were entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Covington, Indiana 420 3rd St. Covington, Indiana 47932. Please join his family in sharing memories, photos, & videos through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.