James D. Swan IV's Obituary
James D. Swan, IV, 72, passed away August 15, 2021 in St. Petersburg, FL. Jim was born in the Naval Hospital at MCAS Cherry Point, NC, to James D. Swan III and Emily Swan (Sweeney). He was raised in North St. Paul, MN. Jim was a Navy Veteran, having served during the was in Vietnam. His working life took him from being a dental, laboratory technician, to working until retirement at the Bay Pines Veteran’s Administration.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Jin (Zeqing) Swan, his father James D. Swan III (Martina), Michael Swan (Kathy), Kathleen Wisniewski (EJ), Jennifer Hopkins (David) and Molly Ramsay (Mike), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his precious mother, Emily Sweeney. We are confident Jim is now safe and free of pain with his Lord and Savior, Jesus. We know he rests in his mom’s loving arms and his “good girl” Casey by his side.
His greatest loves were Jesus and his wife, Jin. He, like his mother and grandmothers before him, was one of our most faithful prayer warriors. He loved to read the Bible and attend services at Evangelical Church of Pinellas Park, FL, where Pastor Kenny and his brothers and sisters in the Lord worshiped and upheld him in faith and prayer. One of his proudest accomplishments was that he completed reading God’s Holy Word cover to cover.
Jim’s greatest joy was when he could finally bring his wife Jin here from China after years of overseas visits and a romantic on-line courtship. His name for her was “Lovely”, and she was his most faithful companion, providing steadfast love and comfort to his life.
Jim led a hard life yet believed the best in every newly met person, often trusting them with an almost childlike openness and innocence. He loved gardening, from discussing and propagating new plants to exchanges between other gardeners. Siblings remember his being a beautiful swimmer and being involved in high school athletics, as well as winning second place in a swimming competition during basic training in the Navy. Jim loved music, he played guitar and loved to dance and as with most pursuits, he did both beautifully. He also loved to fish. He spent many weekends with friends and family, going down to Chokoloskee, or exploring the backwaters of the Gulf coast, from the Keys to the Tampa Bay area where he lived.
Jim will be greatly missed by all that loved or were touched by him.
Jim requested cremation, there will be a ceremony Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 2:45pm at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests either a charitable donation in his name or that you plant something beautiful in his memory.
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