Rickey Dean Swift

Rick was born on November 9, 1947, in Warren, Ohio, to Franklin and Frances (Fortenbaugh) Swift. After Rick graduated from Midpark High School in 1966, he served in the United States Air Force. He joined “to see the world” and went from Cleveland, Ohio, to Texas, to Columbus,Ohio. Columbus is where he met his bride of 52 years, Claudia McGee. They married in 1970 and went on to have one daughter, Tiffany.

After serving in the Air Force, he went on to get a nursing degree. He worked at Cleveland Clinic Cardiac Cath Lab while residing in Lakewood, Ohio. He attended Lakewood United Methodist Church and founded a Christian Clown Ministry, as Swifty the Clown. He was a 32nd Degree Mason. In 1989, the family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where he worked at Sunrise Hospital until he retired in 2015. He then took great care of his beloved Yorkie, Brutus.

Rick was an avid Cleveland and Ohio sports fan. He enjoyed watching The Ohio State University football. His love for the Cleveland Indians (now “Guardians”) is evident to all who knew him. He was a member of SABR (Society of Baseball Researchers) and loved all things Baseball. He would travel every year to a different ball park and send postcards to family and friends, “Saw a game in …. Love, Rick”. He also loved history (especially about US Presidents), photography, and hot dogs.

Rick was predeceased by his parents Franklin Swift, Frances (Fortenbaugh) Swift, and his younger brother Robert Swift. He is survived by his wife Claudia (McGee) Swift, daughter and son-in-law Tiffany (Swift) and Michael Richter, grandchildren Madison Richter and August “Will” Richter, Sister Pam (Swift) Morris, and in-laws, Jon Morris, Alexis and Bill Duff, Betty Bidwell, Francine and Bobby Parsons, and Doug and Elsa McGee, as well as many nieces and nephews. Go Tribe!

The family will be honoring his legacy privately.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmeastern.com for the Swift family.