Joseph Eric "Rick" Swaro Sr.

Joseph Eric ("Rick") Swaro, Sr.

7/5/1944 - 8/31/2025

Rick Swaro, 81, of Columbus Ohio died at his home after a brief illness. Rick was born July 5th at his then family home in McLeish, Ohio to Ruth L. (Roberts) Swaro and Joseph Earl Swaro. He was mostly raised in Glouster and graduated from Glouster High School

in Ohio and was a proud and active alumni member of the Class of 1962, enjoying many return trips to his hometown to visit and socialize with family and friends over the years. If there were cabbage rolls on the agenda, he was more motivated, but none were as good as his mom's; Close though.

He dutifully served in the navy on destroyer ships during the Vietnam War and was a proud 'World Tour' recipient which gave him the opportunity to visit various ports of call while performing a vast array of demanding tasks while operating far from home. Rick worked in the engine room as a machinist mate. He was a proud veteran who loved to discuss all things military with his navy grandsons, army son and any family or friends who were interested. He met his first wife Judy (Sullivan) Swaro while in the navy and they settled in Ohio soon after they married and had 3 children together. They remained friends and achieved an amazing co-parenting (and grand-parenting) relationship for many years.

He earned his BSBA (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration) in Industrial Management from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio in 1982.

With his navy experience, education, a great work ethic and sought after social and character-based qualities, Rick was sought out by employers and earned many accolades as he started his professional career in the specialty area of heating and air conditioning and eventually managerial roles. He worked at then St. Ann's Hospital and continued in his management career at Martins Ferry Hospital, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Mount Carmel Medical Center, Columbus Metropolitan Library and spent his last several years of employment as Facility Manager at DDR, specializing in commercial property management and lease administration. His favorite part of these jobs was the people he met along the way. In his last several years at DDR, he was often referring the many contractors he worked with to his family and friends due to his deep appreciation for their support. Rick rarely met a stranger.

Rick had a few hobbies over the years including racquet ball, playing softball for the church, golfing, poker, lunch with the guys, visiting the casinos, shopping on the home network, watching good movies or TV especially if he could watch something that his kids liked, and OSU football to name a few. He initially worried about retirement, and was pleasantly surprised to find new joy in waking up and going to sleep on his own timeline, pursuing more time with family and friends, and enjoying his time at cooking and home organization.

Rick is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Earl Swaro and Ruth Louise Swaro as well as his only sibling, sister Connie Cooper. He cherished these relationships and while no relationship is perfect, they were important and deeply meaningful to him. We know how much he dearly loved his parents and sister.

The greatest joy in his life was his family. He is survived by his daughter Anissa (Steve) Fuller of Belle Fourche, SD, son Joseph Eric "Rick" (Liz) Swaro Jr of Powell, OH, daughter Kimberly Swaro of Reynoldsburg, Ohio and grandchildren Jeremy Sharp of Gahanna, OH, Justin Sharp of Crooksville, OH, Michael Fuller of Mount Pleasant, SC, Cade Fuller stationed in San Diego, CA, and granddaughters Julia Swaro, Sophia Swaro, Maria Swaro and Lila Swaro, all of Powell, OH. He is also survived by cousins Dallas Swaro and Jerry Swaro who he often likened as brothers. He showed up if he could. The twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes sparkled brighter to see and support his family. The list is way too long to share how he did this, but it is the many

words or actions that each of us hold dear to our hearts that will be remembered the most.

We welcome all to a celebration of life to be held on Sunday, September 14th at 2:00PM at the O.R. WOODYARD Co. Funeral Home, 2990 Bethel Road, Columbus, OH 43220. Our family extends heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their support, prayers, and kind words during this time. Our family suggests memorials to the VA Central Ohio Healthcare System by mailing a check payable to VA Central Ohio Healthcare System Attention Voluntary Service at 420 North James Road Columbus, OH 43219. This is where Rick received most of his care as a veteran, or simply offer a random act of kindness for someone in need. (Matthew 25: 34-40). Our father was a man of faith and giving was his love language.

Per his wishes, our father will be cremated and interment will be pursued in Arlington National Cemetery. Interment will be a private event for the immediate family