Cover photo for James C. Swope's Obituary
James C. Swope Profile Photo
1915 James 2011

James C. Swope

August 17, 1915 — February 24, 2011

SWOPE, Mr. C. James
Kalamazoo, MI Died Thursday morning February 24, 2011. Jim was born August 17, 1915 in Harrisonburg, Virginia a son of E.J. and Maggie Burkholder Swope. He had been a Kalamazoo area resident since 1943 and was employed with the Upjohn Company for 30 years, retiring in 1977. Jim was also a member of the First United Methodist Church for over 60 years; Kalamazoo Male Chorus; Kalamazoo Accountant's Club; Photo Images Photo Club; Treasurer of the Children's Aide; and Board Member of Friendship Village. He also enjoyed golf, actually scoring a hole in one. Jim's love of nature was often reflected in his photography. His passion for photography took him around the world and he presented numerous programs of his nature and travel slides to audiences in the community and at the camera hobbyist photo clubs. Jim was a very kind and generous person. He volunteered regularly at Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes to help feed the less fortunate. He also volunteered on committees at The Fountains at Bronson Place, where he was a resident for twelve years, and was known for his prolific tomato plants whose harvest he largely donated to the residents. Jim's strong religious beliefs and commitment to alleviating human suffering lead him to humanitarian service to his country serving in the Civilian Public Service in Pennsylvania, Iowa, and eventually in Kalamazoo at the State Hospital. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters; and 8 brothers. On October 14, 1950, he was united in marriage to Winona M. Lotz Swope who survives. Also surviving, 3 children, Paul Diana Swope of Portage, John Swope of Laredo, TX, and Robert Swope David Ford of Houston, TX; a sister, Margaret John Lehman of Goshen, IN; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be held 1 o'clock Monday at the First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park St. Visitation will be 4-7 pm Sunday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Private interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. www.langelands.com . 343-1508.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James C. Swope, please visit our flower store.

Photo Gallery

Guestbook

Visits: 4

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree