John H. Swan, Jr.

John Henry Swan, Jr. was born March 22, 1944 to the late John Henry Swan, Sr. and Cornelia Hunter Swan.  Two children were born in this union--Evelyn Swan and John Swan, the youngest. John graduated from Hughes High School.  Growing up in Cincinnati, he enjoyed arts, painting, drawing, playing music in the band, choir, sports (especially softball and baseball).  After High School, John served in the Military (Army) during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1965. John received his formal education and certifications in computerized machining, drafting, and AutoCad Design Technician at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Technical College.  John enjoyed the field of Computer Science and remained current throughout his career and life. John work in the field of engineering for over 40 years at G. A. Gray, Proctor & Gamble Contracting, and Engineering Companies.  He also taught AutoCad and Drafting to students in Cincinnati.  At G.A. Gray, he was blessed to advance from Machine Tech to Draftsman to AutoCad Tech to Supervisor. In May 1964, John met (in his words) “the love of his life and best friend”, Opal J. Allen Swan who moved from Rome, Georgia to attend the University of Cincinnati.  John and Opal married on November 26, 1966 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Cincinnati where they were both members.  To their union were born three loving, caring, energetic, and sometimes mischievous sons: John Henry Swan, III (1967), James Howard Swan (1968), and Jamel Hestian Swan (1969). In 2008, John and Opal moved to Bowie Maryland to help raise a sprouting group of grand children and cousins.  John wanted to spend his retirement years with his sons, family, and friend.  On any given day, you could find John and Opal at a school event, cooking steaks on a grill, planting flowers, playing monopoly, watching sports/movies, having a passionate debate, going to church, or bible study.  Even as his health declined, John would give thanks to our Almighty God for blessing him with another day...  "I won't complain!" John and Opal give thanks to our Almighty God for blessing them with almost 52 years of loving, joyful, and "sometimes challenging"  : ) marriage.  John leaves to cherish his loving wife Opal; three sons, two daughter-in-laws John III & Valerie Swan, James & Dedra Swan, Jamel Swan; four grandchildren: Jaelyn Swan, Jordan Swan, Maya Swan, Rachel Swan; one sister Evelyn Carswell; one brother-in-law, one sister-in-law Hobert, Jr & Pearl Allen and a host of favorite nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.