- Date Of Birth: August 17, 1915
- Date Of Death: February 24, 2011
- State: Michigan
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.
