Jack Swartz

Jack W. Swartz, 90, of Frontenac, died at 3:38 pm Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at the Sunset Manor Nursing Home in Frontenac.

He was born March 1, 1922 in Winner, South Dakota at the family farm that continues in operation today in the family,  the son of Clint and Daisy Shiner Swartz.  He had lived in Frontenac since 2002, moving from Grove, Oklahoma.  He was graduated from Winner High School and the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He was a veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict, serving in the US Army.

He married Mary Agnes Phillips on October 11, 1943 in Hamill, South Dakota.

She preceded him in death on December 28, 2006.

Mr. Swartz was a pilot and mechanic working in the Aviation Industry for 50 years.  He did flying for Sinclair Oil Company, Shreveport Times Newspaper, RL Manning Drilling Company, Garber Aviation, was a pilot for President Jimmy Carter,  and other corporate aviation departments. He and his wife Mary started a Fixed Base Operation (FBO) in Buffalo, WY where the raised a family of 5 children until they sold the business in 1970.  They also operated flying services in Magnolia, Arkansas;  Little Rock, Arkansas and Casper, Wyoming.  Mr. Swartz also taught at the Aviation Department of a local College in Cheyenne, WY until he retired and moved to Pittsburg.  After retirement he continued to do aircraft inspections for the Federal Aviation Agency in Kansas and Oklahoma.  In his later years he was a member of the Confederate Air Force, flying B-25;  B-17;  B-24;  Corsairs;  Bearcats;  P-51; and the  AT-6.  He also holds records in a P-51 Mustang, flying in the Reno Air Races in Reno, Nevada.

Membership was held in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac, KS and his hobbies and interests included woodworking, crossword puzzles, fishing and Aviation.

Survivors include two sons Mike Swartz and wife Ramona of Pittsburg;  Tony Swartz and wife Mary of Irvine, California;  three daughters Jacqueline Swartz of Lake Havasu, Arizona;  Patricia Henderson and husband Bill of Buffalo, South Dakota;  Elizabeth Moore and husband Skip of Jeffersonville, Indiana;  eight grandchildren Adam Swartz and wife Stacy of West Chicago, Illinois;  Travis Swartz of Anchorage, Alaska;  Amanda Sander and husband Mark of Thornton, Colorado;  Chrissy Page and husband Josh of Buffalo, South Dakota;  Levi Swartz and wife Danessa of Wichita, KS;  Alena Shupp and partner Katherine Bale of Denver, Colorado;  Sara Metzger and husband Adam of Thornton, Colorado;  Jennifer Butler and husband Donny of Jeffersonville, Indiana;  eight great-grandchildren Lauren;  Brandon,  Abigail,  Emerson,  Copper,  Carson,  Ethan,  and Bobby.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one brother and four sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 pm, Thursday, November 29, 2012 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac, KS with Father Thomas Stroot, as celebrant.  Inurnment will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Frontenac, KS.  Military graveside rites will be by the Benjamin Fuller American Legion Post #64 of Pittsburg, KS.  A fly over at the cemetery will be conducted by Terry Calloway.  The family will receive their friends from 7 to 8 pm Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at the Friskel Funeral Home, 230 E. McKay in Frontenac, KS.  The parish rosary will be recited at 7:30 pm Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at the funeral home.  A memorial has been established to Mount Saint Marty College in Yankton, SD in the name of Jack and Mary Swartz in care of the funeral home. 
Condolences may be left at our web site www.friskelfuneralhome.com.