John Swift

John Francis Swift, 91, of Lee's Summit, MO, passed away peacefully on New Year's morning. He had been a resident of John Knox Village for the past 12 years. Visitation will be held from 3:00- 4:00 p.m. Sunday January 6th 2013 at St. Mark's Catholic Church; Lee’s Summit Rd. Independence, MO. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 4:00 p.m. Burial will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery.
John was born December 16th 1921 to John J. and Margaret L. (Geagon) Swift. He grew up during the depression, attending schools in Los Angeles and college at the University of Portland. He left school to join the Army after Pearl Harbor and served in the Air Corps and the Signal Corps. After the war, John joined the U.S. Air Force and served 28 years, retiring in 1971 as a Colonel. He then joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a telecommunications manager where he worked until 1986. John was a founder of the Mid-America Telecommunications Association, based in Kansas City. In recent years John mentored UMKC medical students in their geriatric studies program. John was a man of deep faith, a committed Vatican II Catholic, and a long-time member of St. Mark's Parish in Independence. John was also a lifelong reader and student with a keen intellect and curiosity that led him to achieve two Master's degrees while fulfilling his military responsibilities and moving his family around the world every 2-3 years. In his last year of life, John was still taking courses in ancient civilizations, calculus and Spanish. John's sociable personality and penchant for cheerful conversation engaged those around him. Many staff who helped care for him expressed their love and their appreciation for getting to know him. His family would like to thank those staff members at John Knox Village who befriended John and assisted him in living a fulfilling life during his time there. We will all miss him and will carry on his tradition of education, generosity and love of family.
John is survived by his six children; son William T. Swift (Marie) of Leawood, KS; daughter, Susan K. Swift of Lee’s Summit, MO; son, John Michael Swift (Diana) of Lee’s Summit, MO; son, Thomas J. Swift (Mary) of Lenexa, KS; daughter, Mary A. Billings (Scott) of Blue Springs, MO; daughter, Karen E. Embry (Greg) of Leawood, KS; 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, most of whom live in the Kansas City area. John's wife, Kathleen, mother and grandmother to the family, preceded him to heaven in 1999 after they had been married for 54 years. His family was his greatest love and proudest legacy. In lieu of flowers the family encourages contributions to Catholic Charities; 2220 Central, Kansas City, KS 66102.