MAJ. CHARLES H SWIM

Maj. Charles H. Swim, (U.S. Army Ret.), left this world on Saturday, February 8, 2014. He was born on April 14, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan despite telling many people that he was born in Kentucky.
He was preceded in death by his parents and step father, his brother, Ron, and his wife, Monique, and his first wife, Helen Verona "Nancy," and his great grandson, Jason Edward Tayloe. He is survived by his wife Sherry and his children Sherry Worden (Mike) and her children and grandchildren Cathy Swim and her son and grandson, Linda Casterline and her children and grandchildren, Charles Jr. (Donna) and their children and grandchildren, Lisbeth Ireland (Tom), Martha Glenn (Dennis) and their children and grandchildren and John-Steven Swim.
Charles was an underage veteran, featured in America's Youngest Warriors, Vol. III, as he enlisted in the Army at age 15. He was caught right before his 17th birthday. He then went on to serve 6 years in the Navy, finishing WWII in the Pacific Campaign. Charles left the Navy to rejoin the Army, where he completed OCS and would retire at the rank of Major, not before graduating High School in the Navy and college in the Army. He then served as a California State Parole Agent for 27 years. During this time he successfully sued the State of California for Parole Agents to have the right to carry firearms in addition to changing the wording of the California Penal Code to include the wording "protection of the public" when referencing Parole Agents. Countless agents contacted him to thank him for doing this, and in their words, "saving their lives." Charles was President of the Parole Agents Association of California (P AAC) and was instrumental in the formation of the California Correctional Peace Officer's Association (CCPOA).
After retirement, Charlie was often called by active law enforcement to advise and assist. He was asked to lecture at Butte College to pass on his vast knowledge and experience. He had done so much research in his field that Charlie was appointed to be the first official "Historian" for the Butte County Sheriff's Office, a badge he wore with pride. He was a 60+ year member of the Elks Club (BPOE), a Life Master of the American Contract Bridge Association, a lifetime member of VFW and NRA, Past President of Lions Club, member of Retired Officers Association, member of Veterans of Underage Military Service Inc, and co- owner (Janitor/Sherry's Husband) of Pip Printing.
Services were held Friday, February 14,2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Paradise. Burial and Military Honors took place at the Paradise Cemetery following the service, with the Patriot Guard's motorcycle's escorting the hearse. Visitation was held at Chapel of the Pines Funeral Home on Thursday evening, February 13, from 4 – 8 P.M. and Friday morning, February 14, from 8 – lO A.M.. Hosted Wake followed the burial at St. Thomas More Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Wounded Warriors, c/o Chapel of the Pines Funeral Home, in memory of Charles H. Swim.