James Swarzman

James Swarzman

James Swarzman Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Apr. 12 to Apr. 14, 2011.
Swarzman, James
February 27, 1964 - April 10, 2011
What a wonderful and dynamic person! The whole world should have had the privilege of meeting this honorable, intelligent and creative individual.
Jim, 47, from Encino, CA, was killed early Sunday morning in a hit and run accident while bicycling in Leucadia, CA. He is survived by his fiancee Nicole Honda, parents Linda and Judd Swarzman, siblings Ron Swarzman and D'vorah Swarzman.
Jim and Nicole were bicycling in a San Diego Randonneurs brevet, a qualifying event for Paris-Brest-Paris, a famous 1200 Kilometer cycling event in Paris, France, where they would have spent their honeymoon.
Jim was an avid cyclist with a love for the outdoors and he finally met his soul mate in Nicole, a woman who was his equal in every way. They were to be married this August.
He loved to tinker with everything mechanical - cars, bicycles, skateboards, watches and, if you asked him, he'd even tell you how they were made. Jim was a good friend and all who met him were blessed to have him in their life. He loved birds, animals, politics and photography. He was a true entrepreneur and was always developing new ideas for future ventures.
Jim graduated from UCLA and received his MBA from USC. He was a CPA, but his love of cars led him to be an auto broker. He was the president of the Porsche Owners Club for several years and, before cycling days, spent his weekends racing his 928 at Willow Springs.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 14th, 12 p.m. at Mount Sinai, Forest Lawn Drive. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition at LA-BIKE.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign James Swarzman's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

April 6, 2025

Willy posted to the memorial.

April 25, 2011

Robert Cravens posted to the memorial.

April 18, 2011

Sandy Friedman posted to the memorial.

Willy

April 6, 2025

Thinking of you today Jim. Thanks for all the great pulls thru the nights

Robert Cravens

April 25, 2011

I was stunned to hear of Jim's death.

Never met a nicer human being. Instant rapport with everybody. Knew you by name and story the 2nd time he saw you. Would not suffer insult, but didn't take to flattery either. Was proud of his accomplishments, but not arrogant, and was quick and unhesitating in his praise of others. I've ridden with other great partners, but never with better than Jim. We lost a great one, and he will be missed.

Sandy Friedman

April 18, 2011

Dear Linda and Judd,

There are no words to help with the pain of your loss! Know that our love and concern are with you during this sad and overwhelming time.

Steve and sandy Friedman

Mike McGuire

April 15, 2011

On behalf of the Santa Rosa Cycling, I want to express our great sadness at the untimely loss of Jim. Our sport has some inherent risks, but it should not be marred by the senseless behavior of irresponsible drivers with whom we
share the road.

Hopefully we will all ride with heightened awareness of the dangers on the road as we continue to pursue of pastime we enjoy throughout the years to come.

Sincerely,

Mike McGuire
board member
Santa Rosa Cycling Club

Howard Spector

April 14, 2011

Played baseball with Jim as kids. Just heard the sad news. Thoughts are with his family.

Peggy Laing-Krause

April 14, 2011

I was so sad to hear of Jim's passing at his young age of 47... I just lost my brother last October, Jim Laing, 46, to a drunk driver while riding his bike in Agoura Hills in a marked bike lane. The senseless loss of your loved one is overwhelming and I feel your pain. God Bless Jim as he was undoubtedly a wonderful person and will forever be remembered.

willy nevin

April 14, 2011

Jim,

Thanks for all the pulls and the company.
Nicole, know we are thinking of you in this tough time.
You will be with me on all my rides

RIP Jim.

DAVE ABBADINI

April 14, 2011

THIS IS VERY SAD AND TRAGIC. JIM WILL BE SORELY MISSED. GOD BLESS RIP.

April 13, 2011

when to high school with jim, sad to read about this tragic loss. I will always remember jim as someone who always helped others and tried anything possible to get his 1980's blue capri car to go faster,get better gas mileage and look great
david bonino burbank

April 13, 2011

I met James and Nicole on a ride up 39 and than to Baldy Village. Such positive people with the Zen for cycing and climbing....these 2 were true soul mates...my heart goes out to Nicole and the Swarman family...I lost my sister in the same way...
Laura Siebenthal

Vertical Bob

April 13, 2011

Such a great loss all of us in the cycling community feel. A life cut short is a terrible thing. May he be in a better place.

Henry Riley

April 13, 2011

I am saddened by our loss. Jim made a cheerful, positive contribution to every ride we shared. He was supportive of everyone on our rides and his good cheer encouraged us all to reach for our best efforts.

Erin Knight

April 13, 2011

He will be missed.

The sun comes up after full night riding.

Shai Shprung

April 13, 2011

getting ready for the night part of a 24 hours event

Shai Shprung

April 13, 2011

A"fuel stop" for more calories, 3am in a 24 hours training ride.

Shai Shprung

April 13, 2011

At a check point in a 600k (375miles) event

Shai Shprung

April 13, 2011

Getting ready for photo at a night check point in a long distance event.

Shai Shprung

April 13, 2011

Shai Shprung

April 13, 2011

Jim was my friend and we rode many miles together. Many (not long distance cyclists) asking about "why at 1:00am" and I thought to share few photos of our rides at no-light hours. We rode 24+ events for few years now, and we do ride at dark. (we ride almost in all weather condition too). Jim did what he loved to do with the people he loves to do it. RIP my friend.

Jason Pierce

April 12, 2011

[as posted to Jim's facbook page]

More than the actual riding of the bike, Jim loved the community and cameraderie that cycling inspired. He was "into it" for and because of the rest of us. He wanted to show and expose every side of cycling to people.

It was his "I know you can do it" attitude that inspired me to look beyond where I was, and aim a little higher every time.

Having a "good time" on the bike always trumped having a "good finishing time" for Jim, and he was always willing to sit back and hang with someone slower than him simply for the companionship.

My heart goes out to Nicole and their family.

Kitty Goursolle

April 12, 2011

Jim was a very special man and a good friend. I was very lucky to have ridden many bike miles over the last two years with Jim and his fiance, Nicole. Jim always had a great sense of humor and was constantly snapping pictures as he rode along. He told me he could have gone to Brooks, but went to UCLA instead. His many photos reflected his artistic side. The last time Jim, Nicole, and I rode together, (March 2011, at the SLO 400k) Jim was getting cold so I persuaded him to squeeze his tall frame into my yellow and purple windbreaker, which said "Le Peleton Feminin". It covered his arms and only about half of his back, but at least Jim stayed warmer after that and we finished in fine style. Jim and Nicole were so sweet to ride with me the whole way, that day and night, even though I was a much slower rider. I will never forget the good times we had. May Jim's spirit ever soar. I ride for you now, Jim.
With my most sincere condolences to Jim's family and friends.

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Sign James Swarzman's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

April 6, 2025

Willy posted to the memorial.

April 25, 2011

Robert Cravens posted to the memorial.

April 18, 2011

Sandy Friedman posted to the memorial.