Jack Swamba

We are remembering the life of our beloved son, Jack Stevenson Swamba, age 19. Jack loved his motorcycle, but died in a tragic accident on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 when a turning vehicle struck him. Jack died a contracted U.S. Army ROTC cadet, pursuing his dream of one day becoming a U.S. Army Officer proudly serving God, Country, and Freedom. To honor his memory, the “Jack Swamba ROTC Memorial Scholarship” has been established to help support future MSU ROTC cadets. To learn more and potentially contribute, please click here.

A vibrant, self-confident, and driven soul, Jack Swamba was passionate about his Catholic faith, family, and friends. Charismatic and handsome, Jack’s heart of gold and warm smile would light up a room. Jack loved life and lived it to its fullest, enjoying every moment along the way. He loved going on adventures with family and friends or just hanging out, and whether playing sports, fishing, traveling, sharing his opinions, or studying for school, he always gave his best. An inspiration to all who were blessed to know him, Jack’s unwavering love, steadfast companionship, and zest for life will long be remembered and so very missed.

When Steven and Tammy Swamba welcomed their son Jack to their family on April 25, 2004, in Detroit, Michigan, they knew their 10-pound 2 ½ ounce boy would do things in a BIG way. Honoring her husband, Steve, Tammy gave their son the clever and beautiful middle name of Stevenson. From the moment he came into the world, Jack made a big impact on everyone he came into contact with throughout his short life.

Growing up in Livonia, Jack enjoyed the good company of his older brother, Justin, and possessed great determination and a strong will. From his earliest days, he wanted to do everything himself and didn’t want others to help him, telling his parents, “I do.” Confident and charismatic, Jack was a natural-born leader, which his teachers and coaches noticed from age four through college.

In his younger years, Jack enjoyed spending time with his five Swamba cousins and spending the night at Nana and Papa Swamba’s house, eating ice cream, watching 101 Dalmatians, and falling asleep in sleeping bags on the family room floor. He liked spending time with and learning from his grandfathers, and they were overjoyed to teach him and Justin. Jack was devoted to St. Edith Church, where he attended religious education classes and summer camps, served as an altar boy with his brother, and supported other church activities.

Naturally competitive and athletic, Jack wanted to play every sport throughout school and excelled at everything he tried. He played four years of football in the Catholic Youth Organization for St. Edith. A very successful running back, Jack had so much fun with his teammates. He also made the lacrosse team as a freshman in high school. Sports were Jack’s passion, and players didn’t want to be on the opposing team when he checked them into the boards.

Happiest hanging out with family and friends, Jack loved to travel, have new experiences, and spend time outdoors. He enjoyed attending Catholic Central High School, especially the academic rigor, elite athletics, and brotherhood. He made some of his best friends at CC and was excited to be a “Shamrock Brother.” Jack enjoyed school, and his favorite class was theology. He was an assistant hockey captain who impressively scored in the 2021-2022 Division 1 State Championship. Graduating with the class of 2022, Jack’s passion and dedication to academic success led him to Michigan State University. Jack admired his father’s Army career and wanted to follow in his footsteps by joining the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. His exceptional accomplishments, true honor, and valor were rewarded with the prestigious ROTC scholarship. Jack was so excited and proud to be the third generation at MSU and in the armed forces. He excelled as a student, role model, and leader, earning the elite privilege of Pathfinder and Expert Marksmanship.

Jack was well-traveled in his young life. When he was eight, he and his family enjoyed a Disney Dream Cruise. He continually rode on the Aquaduck water coaster, enjoying numerous breaks for the self-service ice cream stations, playing at the arcade until 2 a.m., and pirate night. Special memories were made in the Upper Peninsula, and he was fortunate enough to visit family around the country and take many special trips with them, including Las Vegas, Florida, Texas, Washington DC, and Myrtle Beach. His travels outside the country included trips to Niagara Falls, traveling under the fall on the Maid of the Mist, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Caribbean and Costa Rica. His last big trip was the European Dream Vacation, exploring historical landmarks across the four countries of Italy, France, England, and Switzerland. He loved learning about different cultures, visiting war memorials, and partying until 2 a.m. but still making it to the bus on time (barely). Closer to home, Jack enjoyed a trip to Silver Lake, climbing sand dunes, going up to the lighthouse, and a Mac dune ride.

Jack had very strong opinions about politics, social issues, the best car to drive, the latest electronics, and even what to put on crepes. Jack enjoyed computer gaming, attending concerts, working out, war history, his 2005 Ford Mustang GT, motorcycle, and firearms. He shared wonderful times camping, fishing, hunting, and traveling with family. One of his favorite travel memories was visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and getting a new gold crucifix at the Vatican in Italy.

Though our days with him were far too few, every moment we shared with Jack is worth celebrating. A beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend, Jack welcomed each day as a gift, wholeheartedly embracing every moment he was given. May we find much comfort in knowing he left us doing exactly what he wanted, living in his first apartment, attending his first choice college, riding his motorcycle, and thriving as a ROTC Cadet. May we also find comfort in carrying Jack’s extraordinary legacy forward. Whenever we choose faith over fear, enthusiastically say “Yes!” to life’s adventures, confidently make our dreams come true, enjoy gathering with friends and family, and give our gifts in service to others, we celebrate the countless ways Jack made the world a better place. In this way, we keep his vibrant spirit alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Jack died pursuing his dream of becoming a U.S. Army Officer, proudly serving God, Country, and Freedom. To honor his memory, the “Jack Swamba ROTC Memorial Scholarship” has been established to help support future MSU ROTC cadets. To learn more and potentially contribute, please click here.