Obituary for David Michael Swope – Passing of a Hero
David Michael Swope passed away peacefully in his home in Hempstead, Texas on July 21, 2018, after a prolonged battle with several illnesses. His wife, family, and friends were attentively by his side throughout his life and in his final days and hours. He was 73 years old.
Dave was born in Los Angeles, California on December 28, 1944 to David Irving Swope and Margaret "Peggy" Louise Weaver. Dave and his younger brother, Steven, spent their childhood and teenage years growing up in North Hollywood, California, where Dave met his lifelong friend, Stephen Smith. Dave was a competitive sprinter on the school's track and field team and graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1962. Upon graduation, Dave joined his friend, Stephen, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science in May 1966. While at the University of Utah, Dave was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by his dear friend, Maren Hardy, and chose to be baptized a member in March 1967.
A few months after graduating with his bachelor's degree, Dave volunteered to serve his country in the Army during the height of the Vietnam War. He graduated from Officer Candidate School and joined the brotherhood of the 101st Airborne Division, 3/187th (Rakkasans). During the war, Dave served as a combat platoon leader and later as an advisor to ARVN soldiers with the MACV unit. During Dave's service he was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and was nominated for the Soldier's Medal by his platoon. After his tour of duty in Vietnam from 1967-68, Dave received an honorable discharge as a first lieutenant in 1969.
Dave returned to Salt Lake City, where he enrolled in the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. It was while he was a law school student that he met his future wife, Janis Maxine Tennant, through their mutual friend, Maren Hardy. Dave and Jan were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 29, 1970.
Dave graduated from law school in May 1972 and spent a long and varied career as a litigation attorney. In August 1987, Dave and Jan moved their family to the Great State of Texas where, after practicing 38 years of law, he retired from the Harris County District Attorney's Office as a country attorney in August 2010.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Dave served in a variety of "callings" such as elders quorum president, bishopric counselor, local missionary, and high council representative. He loved film, music, and books on all subject matters.
Dave was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret "Peggy" Ramey (Robert Ramey), and his father, David Irving Swope (Mary Ann). He is survived by his wife, Janis Maxine Tennant Swope, his brother, Steven Warren Swope (Nita), his four children Michael Swope (Heather), Maren Eberhard (Chris), A.J. Swope (Laurie), and Steven Swope, nine grandchildren (Kendall, Erika, Josie, Parker, Courtney, Norah, Atticus, Bailey, and Sierryn), two half-brothers, Eric Swope and Damon Swope (Tracey), two step-brothers Robert Ramey (Annegret) and Rex Ramey (Merilee), sixteen brothers and sisters-in-law, and over fifty nieces and nephews.
He leaves a legacy of charity, the pure love of Christ, through his grace, his genuineness and his authenticity with everyone he met. He loved and adored his children and grandchildren, but most of all, he loved and cherished his wife, Jan, of 48 years, and will continue to love her throughout the eternities. In the words of the scripture, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." God be with you, my son, my brother, my friend, my warrior, my grandfather, my father, my husband. 'Til we meet again…