James Patrick Swatek

James “Jim” Patrick, 77, of Grapevine, Texas passed away May 14, 2018. He was born to the late Ernest and Mary Ann Swatek, March 17, 1941 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Jim graduated from John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City. His love of basketball earned him a letter jacket while he was in high school. As a teenager he became interested in motors and you could find him after school or on weekends working at his dad’s lawnmower shop in Nichols Hills. Jim continued his education at Oklahoma State University where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. As graduation approached, he felt a strong urge to serve his country and signed up for the United States Navy. Upon graduating officer candidate school, he was assigned as ship engineer to the USS Monticello. While in the Navy, he earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars.
Jim made his home in the DFW area over the next 50 years. He worked as a Registered Mechanical Engineer and was a Consulting Engineer for over 40 plus years. He enjoyed talking all things engineering with his engineering wife, Bobbie, and anyone who would listen. For many years, Jim enjoyed playing pickup basketball games wherever he could and running marathons around Dallas or meeting his brother in Tulsa for a marathon. He loved being on the lake with his family and friends in the boat he built or later in life on the boat he and Bobbie shared. In addition to traveling with Bobbie, he loved reminiscing about his Navy and basketball days while his faithful dogs were by his side. Bridget was his English Mastiff that preceded him in death and was his best buddy.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Bobbie; son Timothy Swatek and his wife Susan and grandson Wyatt of Richardson, TX; daughter Heidi Swatek Bullard and her husband Chad and grandchildren Kendall, Aubrey, and Jake of Magnolia, TX; son Brock Swatek and his wife Maria and grandchildren Zander and Emma of Tulsa, OK; his brother Thomas Swatek and his wife Susan and their daughters Cynthia Swatek and family of Ft. Collins, CO and Karen Swatek Jones and family of Tulsa, OK. Jim is also survived by his first wife and friend to Bobbie, Nancy. He leaves behind four furry friends who will miss him dearly, Crockett, Cinco, El Jefe and Roscoe.
A viewing will be held Sunday, May 20th, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.at the Lucas Funeral Home; 700 W. Wall St, Grapevine, TX 76051. The funeral service will be held Monday, May 21st,2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Laurence Church; 519 N. Kimball Ave, Southlake, TX 76092. The interment will take place at 1:15 p.m. following the service at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.( Lane 2 ) In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association in the name of Jim Swatek: http://act.alz.org/goto/Jim_Swatek