Michael E. Swaim

1943 - 2019

Michael E. Swaim

July 8th, 1943 - December 17th, 2019

Mike was born on July 8, 1943, in Buena Park, California and grew up in Lakewood, California. His parents were Orlando Earle Swaim (Earl) and Alice Helen Swaim. Mike had two younger brothers, Russ and Steve.

Mike attended Roosevelt Junior High School in Lakewood, California, where he met his wife to be, Kellie. Mike graduated from Mayfair High School in 1961. After attending Long Beach State College for one year, and pursuing his future wife more than his grades, he decided to enlist in the Air Force and was sent to basic training in Texas. During basic training, he qualified for the Security Service and was sent to the language school at the University of Syracuse to study Bulgarian. He graduated number one in his class, gave the valedictorian speech in Bulgarian, and was selected to be stationed in Germany.

While attending the University of Syracuse, Mike was granted leave and returned home for Kellie's senior prom, which was coincidentally on her 18th birthday. He proposed that night and Mike and Kellie were married in a lovely church wedding on July 28th, 1963. They were soon after stationed in Germany for two years together, traveling throughout Europe and enjoying the culture - an adventure neither of them would ever forget. Mike and Kellie were married for 56 wonderful years.

When Mike returned to civilian life he enrolled at the University of California at Los Angeles. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Arts in International Relations with a Minor in Public Administration and Comparative Government, in 1967 and 1968, respectively. He then earned his Juris Doctor of Law from UCLA in 1971. After graduating from UCLA Law School he took a job with a small general practice law firm in Long Beach, California. In 1971, Mike took and passed the Bar Exam. That same year, Mike and Kellie welcomed their first son Matthew. Three years later, Matt was joined by his brother Darrin.

In 1978, Mike and Kellie decided that southern California, with its congestion, wall-to-wall cement and smog was no place to raise a family. After much research and several visits to Oregon, they decided that Salem was the perfect place. They never regretted that decision and adopted Salem as their home, living in the same house for 41 years.

In addition to managing an active law practice, Mike also served three terms as Salem's Mayor from 1997 to 2002. He was a progressive Mayor. He fought tirelessly to protect and improve the livability of Salem. His constituents always knew he had Salem's best interests at heart.

Mike's public work spanned decades and involved participation and leadership of community initiatives he valued greatly, including the development of the Salem Convention Center; the preservation of Opal Creek; the founding and development of the Marion Square Skateboard Park; Development of the Salem Riverfront Park; the creation of the Salem Outreach Shelter and the founding of Salem Self-Help Housing; Co-Founder of the Salem Memorial Peace Lecture Committee; helped create the Salem Peace Plaza and Peace Wall; Supported LGBTQ community and spoke at and promoted Salem Gay Pride Day; Founder of the Community Coalition for Affirmative Action; Created the Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Salem; founding member and Treasurer of the Dorothy Patch / Nellie Thompson Scholarship Fund.

Mike loved life, he loved the practice of law. Mike approached his work, and all of life, with integrity and empathy. He cared deeply about equity and social justice for all people. He was the ultimate optimist.

Above all, Mike enjoyed spending time with his family. Mike is survived and greatly missed by his wife Kellie, his sons Darrin and Matt, daughter-in-law Katy, his grandchildren Campbell and Nolan and his brother Russ.

On December 12th, during a medical procedure, Mike suffered a catastrophic stroke.On December 17th, with his family present, he passed peacefully.

A celebration of life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem on January 25, 2020 at 2:00pm, 5090 Center St. NE #3215. Donations can be made in Mike's memory to the Nellie Thompson / Dorothy Patch Scholarship Fund, Metropolitan Family Service, or a charity of your choice.