James "Jim" Swafford was a Navy medic from 1956 to 1960. Following an honorable discharge from the Navy, he worked at Motorola and ultimately joined the Microbiology faculty at Arizona State University.

Jim also served as the Director of the Electron Microscopy Laboratory at ASU and taught both scanning and electron microscopy. 

He moved to Boston where Jim used his scientific expertise at Harvard Medical School and Brandeis University. A move to Kansas City in 1994, allowed Jim to bring his skills to UMKC School of Dentistry. He fully retired in 2000. 

He is survived and will be missed by his spouse Virginia Rider (Swafford) of Pittsburg, KS; three children; a grandson; and two siblings.

Memorial services will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 30th at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. Friends are requested to meet at the cemetery. Celebration of Jim's life will be at Crestwood Country Club on July 30th from 4-7 pm. 

Memorial donations can be made to St. Joseph Indian School in Chamberlin, SD or Girard Medical Center in Girard, KS.