Douglas Roy Swaim

High Point – Douglas Roy Swaim, SMSgt/USAF (Retired), 90, passed away on November 19, 2023, at Beacon Place Hospice Care of Greensboro.

Douglas was born in Winston-Salem, NC on November 19, 1933, to the late Oscar W. and Flossie Hemrick Swaim.  In addition to his parents, brothers James Welborn Swaim and Thomas Gray Swaim (Joan); brother-in-law, William Mason Roberson (Nancy) and lifelong friends Joseph and Margaret Savoie, all preceded him in death.

Douglas graduated from Hanes High School in 1952, then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served three years until he was discharged in 1956 to continue his military career in the U.S. Air Force in 1957, where he worked in crypto communications.  Douglas was assigned to multiple posts in the United States including Washington, DC; Fairbanks, Alaska; Shreveport, Louisiana; Montgomery, Alabama; and Charleston, South Carolina.  He also served in Africa, Germany, Labrador, and Vietnam.  When Douglas retired in 1977, he had served 23 years in the military.  After Douglas’ retirement, he joined the Air Force Reserve and served until 1983.

Douglas was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC.  On the weekends, Douglas enjoyed spending time at the Piedmont Boat Club at High Rock Lake, where he was a member for many years.  Douglas and his wife loved to travel all over the United Sates by car, seeing everything there was to see.  There were many trips and even more stories and adventures that were shared over the years.

Surviving Douglas are his wife of 70 years, Gwyn R. Swaim; daughter, Tamara S. Wilson (Dwan Richardson); grandson, Frederick “Rede” Eugene Wilson, IV; brothers, Donnie Lee Swaim (Bernice) and Oscar Wilburn Swaim, Jr. (Faye).

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Salisbury National VA Cemetery Annex at 501 Statesville Road in Salisbury, NC, with Reverend Roger Carmichael officiating and with Military Honors.

Condolences may be shared with the family on Douglas’ tribute page at www.cumbyfuneral.com.  Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point is assisting the family.

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