Howard G. Swift, Jr.

Howard G. Swift Jr. age 90, of Midland died at Stratford Village on August 3, 2013. He was born the son of Howard G. Swift Sr. and Anna McCreery Swift on January 2, 1923, in Philadelphia, PA, where he was raised and educated. He served with the US Navy during WWII, completed photography school and worked as a photographer in the Navy. After leaving the Navy, Howard worked as a photographer for ten years covering local and national news for the Des Moines Register. On August 31, 1947, he married Maxine Kelly in Rock Island, IL. They became parents to Barbara and Howard. (Maxine preceded him in death on October 27, 1991.) In 1962 they moved to Midland where he was employed by The Dow Chemical Company. He retired in 1985 as Assistant Manager of the Audio Visual Department. On August 22, 1998, Howard married Barbara Glines. Howard was a member of the Memorial Presbyterian Church. An avid tennis player, he served on the Board of the Midland Tennis Center for many years. He played golf with the Dow Communications League and also at the Midland Country Club. He enjoyed socializing and dancing with the BayTown Dance Club. Howard traveled extensively and recorded his trips with photography. Having photographed many celebrities and politicians during his career at the Des Moines Register, he created a picture gallery in his home and proudly shared it with friends. He is survived by his wife Barbara Glines Swift and his daughter, Barbara (Nicholas) Lanney of Hingham, MA; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Swift, sister, Anne (Mel) Fenerty, stepdaughters, Cynthia (Bob) Glines, Sandra (Michael) Neijna, Barbara (Rick) Barr, Pam (Greg) Glines, and grandsons Reed Swift, Howard Lanney, step-grandchildren John and Michael Hall, Robert Harrison IV, Matthew and Nicole Barr, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife Maxine, his son, Howard G. Swift III, his brother Kenneth Swift, and sisters Doris Swift and Joan MacClelland. In keeping with Howard's wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be a memorial service for Howard on September 14, 2013, at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. with visitation on Friday, September 13 from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. Those planning a memorial gift may wish to consider the Howard G. Swift III Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Midland Area Community Foundation, or the Midland Tennis Center, Youth Tennis Programs, or a charity of choice.