James William "Jim" Swart's Obituary
James William Swart, age 85, of Spring Lake, passed away in Grand Haven, Michigan on October 13th, 2017. He was born on December 14th , 1931 in Grand Haven, Michigan, to the late William James Swart and the late Anne Burns Swart. He graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1951 and attended college for two years before serving as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division from 1953-1955 during the Korean Conflict.
Jim returned to the University of Michigan in 1955 and graduated with a degree in Architecture in 1959. He was very involved in student government among other interests and served as treasurer of his entire class his senior year while at the U of M.
On December 18th, 1954 Jim married his high school sweetheart, Edith Louise Briegel, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jim and Edie were blessed to have had a marriage of nearly 63 years.
In 1959, Jim returned to Grand Haven and joined the new architectural firm of VanderMeiden and Koteles. A decade later he started his own architectural firm, Swart and Associates. Shortly after retiring at age 60, Jim joined the Randers Group in Norton Shores, Michigan finally retiring as a vice president at 72. In total he practiced architecture for nearly 45 years and was involved in a wide variety of projects primarily in Michigan. He was registered as an architect in many states and held the national NCARB registration. In addition to the vast variety of commercial projects he did, he designed dozens of private residences, many for family members and close friends including five for his immediate family.
Jim’s interests included golf and U of M athletics, especially football. He was a decades-long season ticket holder and never missed a home U of M game. He loved to read and had an extensive library. He was an avid card player and enjoyed Western and WWII movies. At one time he also enjoyed flying his Piper Cherokee plane.
Jim was a long time member of the Spring Lake Country Club and he served as president. He was a former member of the Grand Haven Rotary Club and a life member of the American Legion. He belonged to the Grand Haven Presbyterian Church for 57 years and had served as an elder. Until this past year, Jim and Edie spent many winters at their golf course home in Florida.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Edith, and his adored daughters and their spouses and children:
Ellen and Jeff Schiller, daughter, Erica, and son, Ryan; Laura and Doug "Trip" Stewart, and their daughters Isla, Audra, and Lydia;
his sister, Arlene (Glenn) Yoas; and one brother, Robert (June) Swart, both of Grand Haven, and brother-in-law, David (Camille) Briegel of Pentwater and Dowagiac, and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 21, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church in Grand Haven with Rev. Jill VanderWal officiating. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Charles A. Conklin Post #28 Honor Guard. Friends may meet the family 5-7 p.m. Friday, October 20, at Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services-The VanZantwick Chapel, and one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in Lake Forest Cemetery. Memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven, Grand Haven Area Community Foundation-Greatest Needs Fund, or the American Heart Association. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
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