Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.Omahan Gerald M. "Jerry" Swift lived a life of service.
He was in the U.S. Navy Reserve for more than 30 years, retiring as a command master chief petty officer, the Navy's top enlisted rank.
His spent his civilian career as a bricklayer, helping Omaha grow. He worked on Woodmen Tower and Kiewit Plaza, among other projects.
Swift served fellow members of Bricklayers Union #1, which he joined in 1950, as one of their presidents.
He continued to serve naval personnel through the Big Red Sub Club, a statewide community support organization for the personnel aboard the USS Nebraska submarine. He was a founding member in 1993.
Funeral services for the Omaha native were Tuesday at Roeder Mortuary. He was 81.
Swift died Dec. 21 at Select Specialty Hospital in Omaha after a long illness, said family friend Dale Andersen of Omaha.
Swift began his Navy Reserve career in 1947 and was a Navy Seabee or what fellow Seabee Andersen called "Peter Kiewit in uniform." Seabees do construction overseas for the Navy and Marines.
Swift served the Big Red Sub Club in many ways, including as secretary and newsletter editor. "He was our anchor," Andersen said. Swift spent hours every week keeping track of past crew people, Andersen said.
"We have been told by the USS Nebraska crew and by higher-up admirals in the sub community that there is no one that supports their ship or even comes close like Nebraska does," he said.
The USS Nebraska, currently in the Puget Sound area of Washington, had a memorial service for Swift aboard the submarine, Andersen added.
Swift also was active in the Naval Enlisted Reserve Association, Fleet Reserve Association Branch 276, the Navy League Cornhusker Council, the American Legion, AMVets and other organizations.
Swift's survivors include his wife of 59 years, Joan Martin Swift of Omaha; son, Steve Swift of Crescent, Iowa; daughter, Sheri Ann Swift of Omaha; two granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1165, sue.truax@owh.com
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