Jack R Swarthout

Jack R Swarthout, age 94 was on the farm in Owosso with family when he passed in the morning, Saturday, May 20, 2023. Honoring Jack's life will be Saturday, June 3, 2023, with Reverend Ray Strawser officiating at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Owosso. Family will welcome friends at 12:30 p.m., until time of service at 1:00 p.m. Friends and family will gather at the farm for food and memories after service.
Jack was born March 31, 1929, in a family of 6 boys, one girl to Harold and Laura (Duant) Swarthout, Owosso, Michigan.
Jack and his brothers were like buddies, always into mischief and carousing town, in a goodway. There were bus shuttles to get them to late night dances, bowling, skating, and more. About 1944 spring Jack met Velma at a dance and they were connected, phone calls were 4 digits only.
In spring of 1946 Jack worked on the Great Lakes Boats with Michigan Merchant Marines. He then joined the Army stationed in Tarcento, Italy. Jack and Velma constantly wrote letters. One such letter showed how serious Jack was about Velma "I would go AWOL just to see you." He knew better.
Jack contracted malaria, sent to Germany hospital, then state side to continue treatments. Their 5 year relationship turned to marriage and 5 kids come fast. Velma's parents in Corunna gave them the upstairs to live and save money.
In 1955 Jack's dream of owning a farm came true. It was on a dead end road with 3 neighbors.
Back then snow storms were 2 feet of snow not 5 inches. So the job of frozen water pipes, animals frozen water buckets became a task at 4am when dad commuted to G.M. in Flint and continued to work for 41 1/2 years. We all fed baby piglets in the house in 24 hour slots in winter by the pot belly stove. Dad came home to cows and pigs breaking down a fence and corralling them. Our animals were what fed us and gave us milk except for our daily consumption of kool-aid.
Dad also found time to be a volunteer firefighter for the township.
In nice weather 5 kids walked 2 miles to Merrill school (a one-room schoolhouse with the bell that signalled when school started and when recess was over).
Neighbor events were held at the school and the Methodist Church where we worshipped. The school later closed and we were bussed to town. There was driving or we walked 5 miles home (rare). Barry, Doug and Fritz wrestled, had football and baseball non-stop. Susan joined the love of horses at 3 years old riding a stubborn shetland pony, Jeep. Debbie was thrown too many times so it wasn't her thing. Susan and boys went on to compete in events for barrel racing and collected quite a few ribbons.
Dad had the boys drive tractor and learn to repair vehicles and today they still repair their vehicles. Summer chores could get very tiring in the summer heat. Boys baled and loaded hay in barn (then we played in it) fed the turkeys (they chased us!) Debbie hung clothes on the line (still does today) did dishes and cooked. We had fun climbing our apple trees and Sue continued riding horses.
Working at GM dad made sure there were cars for us to drive at 16 years old. No more adult shuttles.
Vacations were plenty.....Gaylord, Holland Lake at moms parents trailer, Mackinac Island, Texas visit family, Padre Islands (as we got older).
Dad joined the sky diving club. The family watched him at Owosso airport for events. Hunting deer in late fall with his brothers, dad and sister was his fun. (Great time, at Houghton Lake with his sis Eva and her adult kids later in life.) Lots of pheasant in the 60's and lots of buckshot to clean, even when we ate it!
Dad and mom did horse trail rides and motorcycle trips with his brother and wife.
A few years after Barry died (dad and moms son) the kids all moved out of state. Mom and dad divorced then both remarried and lost their spouses.
In 2014 dad had a stroke so in 2015 Debbie moved back from California to care for him on the farm. Dad recovered quite well and his farmers appetite continued. Dad really missed his animals, the farm chores and driving. We walked to the lake, he would pick up branches, water plants. Help do dishes, fold laundry. Debbie brought her 2 small dogs, Missey (terrier) and Thaddeus (Bichon) they were his lap dogs and followed him everywhere even slept with him. Dad enjoyed his John Wayne and comedy movies.
Before the stroke dad had planted 100 bushes and trees. The amish helped build a garage sheds, gazebo, and deck by the lake. Dad drove the Amish to Indiana as they did not drive. They became very close. They honored dad by becoming a god-father, to a newborn Amish baby.
When summer, family visited to fish, ride the paddle boat, drive the golf cart (by grandaughter Keeley) to Burton corners store for ice-cream. Trips in Deb's R.V. to watch the ducks and geese at the river. Short drives were every day and we found a buffalo on a farm (dad knew the family) Garage Sale purchases were fun. An airplane flight with Deb to California to see family got him wings and sit with pilot up front.
Three years ago Debbie's daughter Bree and hubby and their kids have moved here. Lots of birthday parties (dad loves cake and ice cream and is the first to dive in.) Babies and toddlers brought dad great joy.
Dad lived a full life. The family home can now be described as: "Little House on the Prairie." (with hardships and joy) "Noah's Ark" (2 of each animal), and "Lazy Acres" the white rock still displayed in the front yard (Deb repainted it in 2015, cause farm people aren't lazy, they can't be!)
Jack was preceded in death by Jack's first wife Velma passed February of this year, Kathryn Swarthout (Jack's 2nd wife) parents Laura and Harold Swarthout. Son, Barry Alan, 4 infant grandchildren, son in law Robert Whipple, sister Eva Weber and husband John, beloved grama Eva Duant, Brothers, Lucky, David, Larry, Robert.
Those still on this earth to share memories of Jack are his children: Deborah Dvorak-Crumpton, Douglas (Vicki) Swarthout, Susan Whipple, and Fritz JR Swarthout.
Grandchildren: Breean (Dvorak) Mike Waltrip, Joshua (Alma) Dvorak, Keeley Crumpton, Stephanie Swarthout, Jason Swarthout, Naomi Moore-Swarthout, Deona (Chris) (Swarthout) Atkins, Fritz A Swarthout, Tori (Jason) Irizarry.
Great-Grandchildren: Tad Tjernagel, Amber Tjernagel, Kari (Tjernagel) Obert, Quinn and Kaden Waltrip, Dora and Alyssa Dvorak, Alana (Cody) Smith, Cody Lawrence, Hayden Atkins, Bryce, Corbyn, and Mason Swarthout, Julian Irizarry, Tanner Moore and Hailey Moore.
Great-Great Grandchildren: Aza Tjernagel, Violet, Alexandria (Lexi) Obert, Ana and Kaden Smith, Emmaline and Claire Swarthout. Thaddeus Tjernagel 1 month old. The Weber nieces and nephews Lynn, Sandy, Kathy, David, John, Jackie and their spouses and many great nieces and nephews. All the great friends and neighbors who Jack has known since 1955.
Special "Thank you" to Hospice staff and Cathy, Lisa, Sara, Abigail and Pat. Thank you Pastor Ray & Tom for support. You gave so much love, understanding and care for dad and family. And Respite staff and other agencies that helped in this time. Thanks especially to Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes staff; Beth, Holly, and Glen, for your caring support.
Family requests donations to Hospice or Respite of Memorial Hospital in lieu of flowers.
The family is being served by Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, Jennings~Lyons Chapel where online condolences may be shared at www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com