Family is not always blood, sometimes we acquire family along life’s path.  Jim will always be a part of our family.  Actually, writing “Jim” feel’s awkward because I always called him dad.  At parties & gatherings I always found myself seeking him out, to sit and chat, he was a comfort zone for me, and he will be missed tremendously.  I’m so thankful that he welcomed Michael & I so openly into his loving family.  Things won’t be the same, but my life is forever changed for the better for having known you.... 

A GREAT MAN!
A GREAT FATHER!
A GREAT FRIEND!

Dad will be missed as the grass misses the water. There is an empty space in the chair and it will not be filled. We love you and will see you again. Thank you for giving me my best friend and BFAM!!!!  Love you

Jim, may you rest in peace.  Thank you for your service to this beautiful country, and for your sacrifice to protect our freedom.  Jim was a loving, selfless man who always put his family first.  I had the fortune of getting to know him over the last 10 years or so.  I always looked forward to seeing him at gatherings, dinner, and events.  He always sat with me, and we would have deep, captivating conversations about his military experience, and my career.  I always enjoyed hearing about his experiences at the Naval Academy in Newport, RI.  I liked his company.  Jim and I hit it off from the beginning, and he always made me feel like a nephew or even a son at times with his caring, and engaging demeanor.  You will be loved and missed forever in eternity.  

Love Justin

Jim was a good man. He loved his family and his grandson, Gregory. Jim loved to work in his yard and always kept it beautiful. Jim also loved Mustangs . His family and friends will truly miss him

You were a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, brother in law and uncle.  You will be missed. Rest in peace.

Uncle Jim was one of the greatest men I have had the honor of knowing. He had such an amazing amount of pride in his family and his career in the Navy. I remember when I first told him I wanted to join the Army. He didn’t tell me not to do it and he didn’t was crazy like most people. He just said “Little Bit, you don’t want to join the Army! You should join the Navy!” I’ll always remember driving around Phillipsburg  with him, listening to his Kenny Chesney CD playing on repeat. I don’t think I’ll ever hear a Kenny Chesney song again and not think about Uncle Jim. He was such an amazing uncle, and his love and support has meant more to me then I can ever say.  

 To define unconditional love is to say that a person loves someone unselfishly, that he or she cares about the happiness of the other person and will do anything to help that person feel happiness without expecting anything in return. In other words, the definition of unconditional love is "love without conditions."

It is a love that is given without expecting or even really caring if that love is returned. You love this person wholeheartedly, and nothing is going to change that.   My Dad was the true definition of unconditional love. 

 From day one, I was his shadow or sidekick and he was my Superman.  It didn't matter how many times I wanted to watch the same movie he would sit there with me,  and I with him curled up in the "bunny hole" . 

 He was always there to support me in everything I did and always provided for us.  He taught me what true love looked like as I watched him with my mom.  My dad NEVER did anything half way and always made it known how proud he was of my brother and I.

  I loved watching him with my little boy, Gregory.  His eyes would light up at the very sight of him.  As I sit here and reminisce my eyes can't help but to weld up with tears.  A piece of my heart will be missing until we meet again,  and each day I live is one day closer until I see you again.  I love you most!  Always and forever,  your hun bun. 



Uncle Jim was an incredible husband and father. I know how much he was loved by all. Aunt Debbie, my heart hurts for you and i know how incredibly much you miss your best friend and love of your life. All memories that i have of the two of you were just that. You could tell by the way that you both looked at each other how much you loved one another. I dont have a memory that there isn't a smile on yalls face when you were together. I loved him very much. And even though i couldnt be there I know how much he wouldnt want you todo anything else but smile. Smile, about every last memory amd moment of the life you built together. He loved his son very much. But that cousin of mine, jessica, or Hunbun to him, he loved you more than the breath he breathed. You were and will always be his baby girl. He smiled at Aunt Debbie, but when he looked at  his HunBun, that look was priceless. He loved you so much. He wouldn't want her to do anything else but continue being the amazing woman, mother, and daughter that you are. I love you all very much. Im sorry that i couldn't be there. I miss him. My prayers, love, and hope to y'all. ❤

You had to be a stand up and wonderful man because you raised a smart, beautiful and loving daughter, Jessie.  May you rest in peace.

I met Jim for the first time at a family dinner in 2013. Jessica introduced me and any nervousness I had just left as he greeted me with his soft kind voice.

After that I introduced him to my parents. My dad and Jim talked outside for most of the time and it was like everyone already knew each other for years. It was a great time!

It was at that time I knew that one of the reasons my wife was such a wonderful person was because she had such a great dad.

As time went on I realized that Jim was the kind of man I wanted to be, as a husband and as a father. I never got over that no matter what was going on, whether how sick, tired or busy he was, he always found time to show his wife and his kids so much love. He was such a romantic and I loved that about him.

Jim also took so much pride in his yard and his Mustang's and was always so generous to everyone around him.

I still remember on our wedding day when he decided to treat himself to a brand new red Mustang and pulled up driving it like he just bought a new shirt or something.

He was so casual when he told Debbie he just bought a brand new car without telling anyone. He was celebrating in his own way and I remember thinking he really deserved it. After all he was always so giving to everyone else.

I really miss him and will never forget him because when I look at my beautiful little boy and wife, I know that without Jim they wouldn't exists in my life. Jim gave me a gift that will never fade and he lives with us in this life and the next forever.

I love you Dad, thank you for everything and see you soon!

Your son-in-law.
Gregory Cummins Jr

Jim was an awesome man and a gentleman. He always had a kind word and quiet thoughts. We both discussed politics and together we shared in grandfathering our grandson G3. Jim will always be in our thoughts and memories.  May the Lord give you peace 🙏 in heaven. Untill we meet again Greg & Sara Cummins Sr.


Jim you were a great husband to my sister, a very loving and understanding father to your children and their spouses. The greatest Pappy to little Gregory. The two of you had the shine in your eyes when you were together. Not only to your family but kind and helpful to anyone that you met . You always gave your very best in everything you did from your Navy career to your yard and garden to all of your beautiful mustangs. I cherish all of the times at the lake with you and Daddy,Bill and Sam. Out catching those big ole lunkers as you called them. And eating the hot fish and hush puppies for dinner and the cold fish and hush puppies the next morning for breakfast. You are truly missed by all who know you and love you. I love you my brother. Good bye for now until we meet again.

Dad,
I have had numerous struggles trying to find the perfect memory, or story to tell of you. The more I reflect and remember the times make it harder and harder to choose something. I have come to the conclusion that my entire life is one that is filled of you and your presence. You have been a role model and a mentor, a helping hand, a lover and a fighter. Most of all you are an amazing man whom I’ve had the pleasure to call dad. You have given me strength when I was weak along with courage when I felt afraid. I love you always and forever and continue to work towards being the kind of man you were. Now that you are gone I promise to always make you proud. Your loving son, Jimmy.

Uncle Jim was a great man. I remember when he and aunt Debbie had come to North Carolina, that he insisted on helping grandma with her rose bush. He was quite the botanist, and was always willing to help someone. Love you uncle Jim, May you Rest In Peace. 

Senior Cheif Swope was my company commander during boot camp in Orlando.  Though I spent a short or long 8 weeks with him, he was always mild tempered and a great teacher.  Following boot camp I saw BMCS Swope on base, and am still impressed he knew who I was.  I've always considered him an influential leader in my life.  

First of all Jim, I would like to thank you for your many years of service. Thank you for the sacrifices you made to serve our country. I saw you to be a wonderful man, great husband, and awesome dad. I also saw your wonderful partner in life, Debbie, who kept the home fires burning when you could not be there. You two were a fine example of what a marriage should be, a partnership, filled with love and hope. You are missed now, and will be for many years to come. Rest in Peace, with fondest wishes!

Barbara Cook

I never heard my Uncle Jim raise his voice.  "They" say that if you can hear someone's voice without them saying a word... it means you love them. I hear you Uncle Jim.  Thank you for giving me a sense of normalcy when things were chaotic. I love you so much! Say hi to Greg, Granny, and Pop for me! 

Love, Sara 

Where to begin ....... it’s more then just a memory for me. When I first met him the wound of losing my own father was still fresh, and from the time I started dating his son till the end of the 23 years I got to spend with him in my heart he stepped into that role for me . I will always and forever be eternally grateful for his love and support over the years . I would have never expected to have so many memories with such a wonderful father and feel so loved by him . I miss you more then words can say , until we meet again !! Love you dad 

To pick one memory to share would be impossible. Jim was the first person I met when I moved to Florida.   When I think of Jim, I think of him in his yard working,  of him telling me stories of the Navy, of him offering me help when I was alone,  and of the beautiful toast he gave at my wedding. What I can’t remember in the 23 years I’ve known him is ever seeing him mad or angry. He always had a smile that was contagious.  He never said no to anyone and would offer you anything he had.  I am forever grateful to have had such a wonderful person in my life to look up too. I will forever cherish the moments I was able to spend with him and look forward to seeing him in the future. I love you Jim.  

I have had the privilege of knowing Jim since 1996 when we move down to Florida.  From the very beginning he was concerned - a house full of women.  He kind of watched over us for about a week,  offering us the use of his lawnmower and tools so we could get set up. Offering helpful hints on gardening .. not knowing I had a black thumb not green.   He always had a wave and smile when you saw him and a moment to chat.    Giving us locations of needed stores and supplies.  Over the years we all have become family and I will miss him greatly.  

I'd have to say my favorite memory of one of the greatest men I've ever had the privilege of knowing is that Uncle Jim is always a fair and honest man.  No matter what id done in life hed always have a way to let you know its never to late to change, and everything would be ok.I love sitting on the porch at the lake house hearing him, pop, and my Uncle Bill bragging about who caught the biggest fish. I only wish that I had gotten to spend more time with him and I will truly miss him because he was my favorite uncle hands down.

OBITUARY

Jim Swope

February 17, 1954 – July 24, 2019

Baldwin-Fairchild Conway Funeral Home

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