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BORN
1958
DIED
2020
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Mark Swisher Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Mark Swisher
Sponsored by the Star-Telegram.
Robin Tryon
March 7, 2023
Mark, you were taken way too early. I loved your infectious exuberance for life, your passion for all things with wings, and your endless positivity.
Susan, no words... still... to express the deep sadness I feel for your loss. You were such a great couple! Your devotion to Mark and your support of him in his endeavors was remarkable.
My wish is that we all will be together again and carry on where we left off.
Blessed to have had you in my life. You forever changed my trajectory and my life journey. So much love, Robin
Chris Hays
December 20, 2022
I worked with Mark on F-16 Block 60 and enjoyed the time together, although busy and brief at times. Mark always had a smile as I am sure he does now. I only recently stumbled across his passing. What a shock. We will miss you Mark. Thanks for the time you were here!
Frank Nelson
June 3, 2020
I was stationed with Mark in VQ-2 (1980-83), in the same shop, and did a couple of dets to Sigonella, and on a couple of carriers in the Med with him. He was a true professional at his early age back then, and he loved flying in his planes. RIP shipmate, we have the watch.
Floyd Clemons
April 1, 2020
Rest Sailor you are at home now!
Ramona Silk
February 7, 2020
Susan, I am so sorry to hear this tragic news. I send my love to you and the kids. May he rest in peace. Take good care.
Peter Swisher
February 5, 2020
Mark was a great brother to me, a great husband to Susan, and a great father to Jessica, Elizabeth, & Steven, and just an exceptionally competent & generous human. This is senseless tragedy that I fail to derive any meaning from. I will try to live my life how Mark lived his, as a better husband, father, coworker & friend. Hearing and reading the stories from his coworkers & friends is wonderful. Please keep them coming. I will miss you bro. ~ Swish7 ~
Kevin Kern
February 4, 2020
I first met Mark in 1985 when he was a member of the ICS team sent to Shaw AFB to help with the F-16 upgrade. Marks passion for his work and constant smile were the traits I remember most. Incredible human being, always made you feel like a friend. R.I.P. my friend. God Bless you Susan.. this will be one of the most difficult times of your life. May Peace and Joy fill your days.
Laurie Yule
February 4, 2020
Such a senseless tragedy. Please accept our deepest sympathies in the loss of Mark. He led an amazing life. Our heart foes out to you and yours. The Yules
Jay Huelsman
January 31, 2020
I will never forget the day I met Swish in a 2004 F-35 MTE staff meeting, he wasnt even on the program YET, but I introduced myself to him after the meeting and we were friends from that moment on. What came not much long after that is working with Swish and many others is history on this program. Turn and burn was his motto and meaning, when its your time to test the jet, you better be here otherwise enjoy your time off but put in your 40 hours doing something. In my 30, well 15 years with Lockheed then I had never worked for a guy like Swish, it was refreshing because he trusted his team of Test Engineers to get the job done and we all did as a team, God bless you Swish, you were/are/ will always be one of a kind. Oh and his best, if you did a 60 hour week, hed say you were a part timer
Gary Bell
January 30, 2020
It was a pleasure and an honor to have worked with you on the F-35 flight line in the early days prior to AA-1 first flight and all that that entailed. You were always helpful, knowledgeable and supportive. He was a great guy with a wealth of knowledge he will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family
Geri Nelson
January 30, 2020
We sorely miss our friend. I worked with Mark since the early AA-1 days and am grateful to have known him. My condolences to the entire Swisher family and all friends. May we all find peace in our fond memories.
Kee Cress
January 30, 2020
Mark was a wonderful person and an inspiring coworker. His quick grin would let you know that everything was going to be alright- just stand back and let him work his magic. His passing has left so many of us in shock and grief. No one ever "lived the dream" the way Mark did. Deepest sympathy and love to his family.
Brett Garrett
January 30, 2020
Mark was one of those souls you only meet once in your lifetime. He was always willing to stand and work with you until things were as they should be. Rest in peace Mark, your work on this earth is done.
Mark Ed "Ziggy" Vladish
Edwin Vladish
January 29, 2020
We have all lost a sincere,caring,friendly and loving of life person
that Mark Swisher always was!
I can not say enough about the beautiful friendship of 41 years
with Mark that started at NAS Rota Spain in VQ-2 with Mark's
first flight in the EA3B aircraft ! How you loved it !
Thanks for the wonderful Memories that have continued
all these years since that original flight - both in the Navy and civilian
life " God Speed my friend Always"
To Susan his wonderful Wife and Family-
May it bring you peace to remember what a beautiful and
unforgettable life he lived !
Ed "Ziggy" & Felicia Vladish
Craig Glaze
January 29, 2020
My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to Susan and the entire Swisher family. I am so privileged to have had the opportunity to work alongside the Greatness of Swish over the years, and even more honored to call him my friend! You are so greatly missed!
Rick Freihage
January 29, 2020
The world just lost a GREAT man. God be with you. You now have your wings.
Mike Curran
January 29, 2020
Susan,
Sorry to hear about Mark. My condolences to you and your family. Mark was the best, I will miss him. Words cannot heal the pain of losing someone so dear. May God give you courage, strength, and support. You are in my payers and my sincere sympathy is with you and your family.
Mike Curran
Earl Belz
January 29, 2020
Without fail, the one thing you could always count on what that Swisher smile..every time. Even it this picture.
Love you Mark, God Speed. Our deepest sympathies to your family.
William Tallant
January 29, 2020
My condolences to the Swisher family. Mark was an incredible human being and will be missed by all.
Lynn & Brenda Russell
January 29, 2020
Susan & Family,
We will always cherish the chats over the fence and watching Mark as he drove out in his yellow mustang convertible!
We will be here for you in the days, weeks & months ahead.
Lynn & Brenda Russell
Dave"Redneck" Pierce
January 29, 2020
Mark, thanks for what you did for all the Whalers. You were a breath of fresh air. I plan on going to see a few of your restorations this year. Your gonna be missed by all the guys and girls that loved working on Whales. Till we meet again.
Redneck
John Magbuhat
January 28, 2020
God Be With You My Friend.
Michael Pratt
January 28, 2020
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my cousin Mark I was always so proud of him for his service to our country. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time
Lawana Harris
January 28, 2020
RIP Mark! You will be missed by many! So many tears since I heard about your accident. Love all the memories we have of you and the fun you and Gary had in the Navy and while at LM. Prayers for Susan and the kids.
Frank Geisler
January 28, 2020
Swish was always someone you could turn to in a time of need. Usually that "need" consisted of something you felt you just did terribly wrong as the "new FSE" and you needed to call someone immediately while your stomach was all up in knots. He always found a way to put you at ease, walk through the problem and give you the right answers to solve the issue -no matter what time of day or night. The world needs more Mark Swishers and it is sadder place now that he is not here anymore. The good news is that we are all better off for having knowing him at least I know I am. RIP Brother.
Lynn Sneed
January 28, 2020
Mark was a great neighbor, always upbeat and helpful, and will be sorely missed. One of my last memories of Mark is him helping my teenaged grandson get the herd of deer out of our fenced-in garden (because the gate had accidentally been left open!) Our prayers are said continually to our Heavenly Father for Susan and family.
Lori Hart
January 28, 2020
I feel blessed to have known Mark. He was a great man, gone too soon. Love and prayers to Susan and the Swisher family.
Rob and Pam Parrott
January 27, 2020
Sending prayers to Susan and all of the family, as well as to the multitude of friends and military pals that loved Mark so much.
Bob Benton
January 27, 2020
Those who do well in life are always taken too soon from this world.
Lisa Pool
January 27, 2020
We will miss you, still cannot imagine you not being just a phone call away. We had so many fun dinners and hanging out together. You were a great joy to our family and we love you now and always. 30 + years flew by.
Jo Harris and Lisa Pool
Susan Baker
January 27, 2020
Swish, you will be missed by family, friends, and the A3 world. You were a bright candle that was extinguisher to soon.
Swish and I barnstorming around Granbury in September 2017.
Richard Copeland
January 27, 2020
I'll never forget the day Swish took me to the Flight Line and strapped me in an F-35. I consider it a great honor to have had the chance to work with him and exchange flying stories. Swish had a passion for aviation that was contagious and I don't know I ever saw him without a big smile on his face. My sincerest condolences to Susan and the rest of the Swisher family. He will be sorely missed. Tailwinds my friend.
January 27, 2020
Susan,
The deepest condolences to you, yours and Marks's family on your loss, I don't know if there are adequate words to make sense of this. It was a pleasure reconnecting with him and meeting you last summer, sadly taken way too soon.
Cindy & Derek Schmitt
John Supra
January 27, 2020
Swish was just such a great person with a welcoming soul. It was an honor and a pleasure to call him a friend. We will miss him dearly. We extend our deepest sympathy to you Susan and the rest of the Swisher family.
Dean Rogers
January 27, 2020
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. As a member of the F-35 support team when we would see Mark we knew the calvary had arrived.
Roy Acrea
January 27, 2020
Mark was a man of passion and honor. I worked with him and Bill Mego restoring Ranger 15 from 2013-present. Mark was in his element when was around that old Bird. I enjoyed getting to know him and Susan and will always remember him. Fair winds and following seas! You will be missed.
Jason Berry
January 27, 2020
I was a brand new supervisor working with Mark on 2AA-1. I had been working on assembling it for the better part of two years, but when we got ready to test it we had a lot of problems. When Mark came on board he brought a real sense of confidence that we all needed to get through some challenging times. I remember being in the hangar with him on first flight day, and from then on, every F-35 that launches around the world has solutions from Mark running through its veins.
Lesa Smith
January 27, 2020
Susan, Mark will missed in your life as well as so many others at LM. He was one of the best. Always giving and never taking. Remembering Mark today and always.
William Crews
January 27, 2020
Mark, thanks for everything you taught me over the years, You've been a shipmate, you've been a great friend and you were always there even when busy with other issues to give me time. I was looking forward to getting back to Fort Worth in a few years to help you with your A-3 but God needed you more than we did.
Aarron Reed
January 27, 2020
When I met Swish I was young and eager to prove my worth. He was the guy that everyone looked up to. He didn't have to but he took me in, let me shadow him, took me to lunch and treated me like I belonged. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to learn from him, but even more so that we became friends. I still do my best to pay tribute to him, he was the first of us and he represented the best of us. I'll miss him, and for what it's worth I'm truly sorry for the loss Susan and his family are feeling.
TJ Brown
January 26, 2020
Mark was an amazing man in everyday...creative, innovative, kindhearted, and determined! It was a pleasure to work with him on many F-16 first type versions through delivery!
Our prayers are with each one of you, God bless!
Kim and Kevin Briggs
January 26, 2020
Mark always had a smile on when we saw him come riding in on his Harley at Fort Worth Harley. He had a passion for his Harley and life on two wheels. Our prayers are with his family and friends.
Carol Whaylen
January 26, 2020
Susan, what a beautifully written record of Marks life and loves. I think he would be very proud of you. You fit in and enjoyed his world of planes and Navy so much and have been a remarkable
Helpmeet to him these last several years especially in sickness and in health. Im proud of all youve done. You are not alone, and you are much Loved.
Tim Matthews
January 26, 2020
My sincerest condolences to Susan and the rest of the Swish family. Mark was and remains a legend in both the Skywarrior and Lightning II communities. He was technically brilliant but more importantly had an amazing can-do spirit and such positive energy that all things seemed possible with Swish at the helm. As a fellow VQ-2 alum, I can confidently say the entire Whale community mourns his loss. RIP to a true friend and patriot.
Cindy Gusic
January 26, 2020
Susan, I'm Gina Efinger's friend & met u a few times..I'm so very sorry about the sudden loss of your husband. I ran into him a few times on the flightline..Gone way too soon..My prayers are with you & your family.
Cate James
January 26, 2020
Mark, I didn't know you for long but it didn't take long to know that you were a true gentleman and a sweet soul. You will be sorely missed by all your family and friends. I pray that God will see them through this most difficult of times. RIP, Mark.
Marilyn Mego
January 26, 2020
Sweet Susan and family...the world seems a little colder and the sun has lost some of its brightness and the hearts of the many who were honored to know Mark are shattered and broken. You are in my prayers and know I will help you travel this unknown highway of grief. Take care to take care of yourself.
I love you.
Kenneth Clifton
January 26, 2020
Rest in peace Mark. It was good knowing and working with you.
Floyd Moore
January 25, 2020
It really was an honor and a real treat to have the opportunity to work with and get to know Mark. He will be sorely missed by all that knew him. My sincere condolences go out to Mark's family and friends may God bless and keep you.
Floyd Moore
Victoria Phillips
January 25, 2020
My condolences to Swish's wife, Susan, their children, and extended family. I first met Mark in 1981 when he worked at the Q. I had a great deal of respect for his diligent work ethic and knowledge of A-3's. I will always remember him as fun-loving, smart, kind, and genuine. Mark Wesley Swisher, Rest in Peace. I believe you are safe in the arms of Jesus now. I was blessed to have known you and I'm hopeful we'll meet up again.
Aaron Ramos
January 25, 2020
It was an honor knowing and working with you Swish.
Robert Mooney
January 25, 2020
May you rest in eternal peace and happiness Mark, you will be missed by many
Tom Brennan
January 25, 2020
I was so sorry to hear of the sudden loss of this great American. I flew 'Whales' with Swish in VQ-2, including the already-mentioned round-the-world trip in 1980. His enthusiasm and devotion to his work and to the A-3 aircraft will always bring a smile to my lips as I remember him. May God bless his family and friends and allow us all to dwell on the good times that he brought us all. Hasta Luego, shipmate!
Danny Freeman
January 25, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I worked with "Swish" while we were in VQ-2 in Rota Spain and did some aircraft carrier detachments when he was flying crew chief on our EA-3B aircraft. A great man and great crew chief. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Marvin Wood
January 25, 2020
Mark....was quite an individual. So smart, so many great stories to tell. I worked with Mark in F-22. I have, and I will always remember Mark. A good man....riding is like flying, he feels the wind in Heaven. God bless all.
John Herndon
January 25, 2020
So Sad, have know and worked with Mark, since 1979 started out in VQ-2 Rota Spain and we did many USS Aircraft carrier deployments together on the USS Eisenhower Det supporting the Iranian Hostage crisis we had to go completely around the world to get there and more recently I worked with him on saving the A-3 Sky-warriors especial Ranger 15 at Fort Worth and Ranger 11 at the National Aviation Museum in Pensacola. Great guy witty, funny, smart and always energetic. We have the Watch Swish!
JD Kent
January 25, 2020
I arrived @ VQ-2 in March 1982, and quickly qualified in the EP-3E aircraft. I then met Swish and I knew I wanted to fly A-3s. Mark guided me through my A-3 quals and soon was a A-3 Crew Chief. I went on to 218 Cats & Traps and none would have been possible without Swish.
I will never forget Swish. May he Rest In Peace.
We have the watch.
Robert Winter
January 25, 2020
Swish will be truly missed, I am a better person for have known you on the A-3 project and further blessed to be with you Monday helping with spares you were so proudly delivering. It was a good day to be in your company listening to your sea stories. May you Rest In Peace shipmate.
James Hurst
January 25, 2020
Rest in peace shipmate! You will always be in our thoughts and prayers
Albert Murray
January 25, 2020
I had the great pleasure of meeting Mark while the Fort Worth Whale was being restored. He was also always respectful and courteous to my wife Wanda. His history with the planes he loved will never fade. My prayers and best wishes to Susan, family, friends and shipmates. God bless us all Rest In Peace our friend.
Therese Caruso
January 25, 2020
Rest In Peace Swish you have been taken way too soon God must really need you a very special angel
Izzy Wiseman
January 25, 2020
Such a great loss. Prayers go out to your sad passing. Taken too soon. May your family know you were loved by many friends. I am happy to say I'm glad to have known you.
Steve Swisher
January 25, 2020
I love you bro and I will miss you forever.
Steve
Betty Croteau
January 25, 2020
Mark was a genuinely nice person, a natural-born leader and one of the more interesting people I have known. My prayers are with his family .
Andy Bogacki
January 25, 2020
Rest in piece my friend, it was honor to serve with you at VQ-2 rota Spain during our tour in the US Navy
Ron & Ellen Woltman
January 25, 2020
It has been a privilege knowing Swish over the past 20 years. His contributions to the A-3 Association and the passion he displayed in saving as many A-3s as possible, will always be remembered. Our friendship will be treasured forever. Sending our deepest and most sincere condolences to Susan and all of the Swisher family.
Bob Hunter
January 25, 2020
I will always remember you cruising Rota in the "Swishmobile". Truly a good man. You will be missed my brother.
Dirk Williams
January 25, 2020
Swisher and me were in the Q together 79/83. Many many many, great adventures together. Had within the past three years rekindled our friendship, via email and telephone. Was hoping Swish and Susan could have joined us here in Klamath Falls Oregon to see and tour southern Oregon together. Swish had called asked about staying with us, and seeing Crater Lake this summer. Brother the door is always open for you and your family, forever!.
Was truly looking forward to that day. God bless you all. Susan we haven't met, the VQ boys and Girls, and their wives told us just how special you are. For those Mongols to say such wonderful things truly is a blessing, heck last time I saw most of those boys, non had even been stump broken yet. Most were fed by their moms with sling shots.
Please know your always welcome here at our home, your family.
See you in Valhalla my brother. That's where warriors go, where angels seek Advice from warriors..
Dirk and Carole Williams
John Gaston
January 25, 2020
Rest in Peace, MARK. You will be dearly missed by your many GD-Lockheed friends. It was a pleasure to know and work with you.
Charles Carlisle
January 25, 2020
Mark, I was shocked to hear of your sudden passage and am still having a hard time believing it! Your work to preserve our Whales will forever be your legacy. I do wish my heartfelt condolences to your family. Thank you for all you've done for our country! Fair Winds Brother (SMIB)!
Jim Willingham
January 25, 2020
I learned a lot from you Mark, on a professional and personal level. Your attitude about life and unceasing energy are a model for everyone. You are dearly missed. My condolences to Susan, you children, and the rest of your family.
Cody White
January 25, 2020
Swish will be greatly missed among the F-35 community. His hard work and dedication paved the way for all within the program. Thoughts and prayers for the Swisher family during this time.
rolf-michael born
January 25, 2020
Only knew him through Facebook and e-mails he struck me as a man on a mission with his passion for restoring the A-3's. He led a a great fulfilling exciting life and will be remembered for all his hard work. Rest in Peace Shipmate
John Snyder
January 25, 2020
May you and your family find love, warmth and comfort during this most difficult time.
Fair Winds and following seas to a Navy Brother!
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