Don L. Swift

Don L. Swift, of Amherst, passed away on August 3, 2023. He was born in Republic, Pennsylvania on August 26, 1928, the youngest of six children of Clyde and Nora Swift. Mr. Swift moved to Lorain in 1955 and then to Amherst in 1960, where he resided for the rest of his life.  

After graduating from Redstone High School, he worked in the coal mines for several years before deciding that he wanted to do something different with his life. He enrolled in California (PA) State Teachers College, as it was named at that time. It was there that he met and married his wife of nearly 69 years, Jean.  

He started his professional career as a teacher in the Lorain City School District, teaching at both the elementary and secondary levels.  His graduate work was completed at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a master’s degree in psychology, certified as a school psychologist and a licensed clinical psychologist.  

He continued his career in the Lorain City Schools as head psychologist and later as Director of Pupil Services. He established many educational programs for children with special needs in the Lorain City Schools and in Lorain County.  He helped bring Dr. Billy Graham to give the inaugural address at the Murray Ridge School. He also introduced an educational program for gifted and talented children.  He served as president of the Ohio State Association of Pupil Services and was on the state committee to develop standards for students with attention deficit disorders and students with hyper-activity.  

After retiring from Lorain City Schools, Swift became clinical director at the Center for Children and Youth Services for Lorain County, and maintained a private practice in Lorain.  When he finally retired from these positions, he volunteered for the Hospice programs at St. Joseph Hospital and Lorain County Community Hospital. 

Of all his achievements, he wished to be most remembered as “a family man”.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his five siblings, Roselma Swift, Harry Swift, Mildred (Swift) Funk, Mary (Swift) Binkey, and Robert Swift.

He is survived by his wife, Jean (nee Dunbar), children Dale (Denice) Swift, Laura Swift Hause (Ron), and Dann (Julie) Swift, grandchildren Jason (Sarah) Swift, Peter Hause, Natalie (Scott) Nemet, Stephen Hause, Andrew (Ashley) Swift, Kohleman Swift, Dana Swift, and Isaac Swift, four great-grandchildren, Annabelle, Audrey, Alexandria, and Sophia Swift, and 21 nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held  on Sunday, August 6th. from 2 - 5 pm at Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst. A Celebration of Life will be on Monday, August 7th, at 10:00 am, at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 582 Church Street, Amherst. 

Contributions in his memory can be made to Ridgeview Park Association, c/o R. Crist Berry, Financial Sec., 2006 Grove Ave. Richmond VA 23220, or to St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 582 Church St. Amherst, OH 44001.

For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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