Memorial Service for Lyman Alexander Swingle
Monday - March 19, 2001 (Talk by Brother Carey Barber)
1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 "do not sleep in death" go right on liv¬ing and serving Jehovah. Lyman Alexander Swingle success-fully completely his life course on earth and has gone on to unimagin¬able blessings and service. Not a time of sorrow for him but victory and joy. We can be glad he "died with his boots on" He even went to work a week before passing. He leaves behind a sister, two brothers, two daughters (from Crystal), grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Lyman was born in Nebraska on November 6, 1910, to Leroy and Minnie Swingle. They were god-fearing parents who were intro¬duced to the truth in 1913. They were known for being very strict and making their children attend meetings regularly. Later, the Swingle children proved to be the only ones that went on to dedication, etc.
The Swingle family lived through diffiuclut times; there was dissention among the brothers (in Salt Lake City area). Also, Minnie died. Leroy re¬married and had two more children. In 1923, Lyman's father was forced to resign from his university post (as science professor) because of his zealous witnessing. Lyman was baptized at 12-1/2 years of age. The Swingle's home became a depot for visiting "pilgrims" who had a fine affect on Lyman's spiritual growth. It was one of these visiting brothers that gave Lyman a Bethel appli¬cation. His Bethel application was approved and he began his Bethel service on April 5, 1930. Lyman stayed for 11 years before ever going back home for a visit. The reason was because he would send his monthly reimbursement home to help his sister who was pioneering. So he never could afford to go home.
When going home for his first visit after being at Bethel for 11 years, hardly anyone recognized him because he had lost so much weight! That's how he got the nickname "Slim". His sister was the first one to recognize him... even his Mother did not recognize him right away. But, she wanted him to surprise his Father so told him to go down to the Drug Store where he worked. Young Brother Swingle went up to the Soda counter and his Father was busy talking with another brother about the District Convention. He ordered a soda and his Father still didn't recognize him... just kept on talking with the other brother. He asked young Lyman if he'd like a refill. Lyman went ahead and asked for a pack of cigarettes ...but still his father didn't recognize him! As young Lyman started to walk out, he asked his dad what his name was, and he replied "Swingle". 'Why that's my name, too!' Well, young Lyman finally told him he was his son! His father just broke down and cried! He closed the Drug store and they happily walked home together!
Brother Swingle served at Bethel for 71 years in a variety of work assignments. He worked for a number of years with different machinery in the Bindery and Pressroom, worked 5 years in the Writing Depart¬ment, 16 years in the Ink Room, and worked the longest time in the Treasurer's Department. In 1956, he married Crystal (who had two daughters from a previous marriage). Lyman loved and treated these as his own daughters. He was always very kind to those with problems and disabilities-- especially to his wife Crystal; he was very devoted to her. He gave up traveling when she could no longer accompany him. Her death brought him great sorrow. Even years after, tears came to his eyes when Crystal came up in the conversation. Brother Swingle was known for his kindness and approachability (even with a gruff exterior). One Circuit Overseer commented that he was "a really down to earth brother."
At a District Convention, a distraught woman came running down the aisle towards the platform with her hands waving and none of the attendants could stop her. Brother Swingle kindly put his arms around her shoulder and stood by her during the singing Kingdom song. He was the only one that could calm her.
A Missionary reflected on one of the lectures Brother Swingle gave to a Gilead Class. He used the vivid illustration of how a wicked person takes a baby out of it's stroller and throws it to the ground and cruelly stomps all over it. He likened this to Satan the Devil with regard to Jehovah and Jesus. The missionary brother said you could see the deep love that Brother Swingle felt for Jehovah and Jesus.
Comments by Brothers Bland, Buck and Ferguson:
In the scriptures we recall that at one point, Jesus no longer called his disciples slaves, but friends. This reminds of Brother Swingle's very kind and humble manner even though he had a gruff exterior.
One day, right before lunch, a young brother inadvertently allowed a very large amount of oil to spill out of a large barrell in the Ink Room. Brother Swingle gruffly said… you go to lunch and I'll clean it up. But the brother felt really bad and wanted to clean up his own mess. Brother Swingle gruffly insisted and that he was older and didn't need to eat as much as the young brother did. But what a kind heart Brother Swingle had… he thought nothing of missing lunch to stay back and care for the big spill.
Brother Swingle was also known for his being approachable. He had an "open-door policy". Whenever someone would come to see him, he would give them his full attention (even in the Treasurer's Office). He so loved children, and they always felt comfortable around him. They liked to go for his unique eye-brows and touch them. And Brother Swingle would let them!
He was very frugal. An example was during his years working in the Ink Room. They would bring the oil saved from the vehicle garage and strain it out to use in news print ink. They also would save, cook and strain the 'paint skins' to put in ink. He was always conscientious about turning off the lights.
Brother Swingle firmly believed that Jehovah really takes care of us. 'He runs the place' (Bethel). And he was remembered as saying: "Don't take yourself seriously... take your assignment seriously".
Another fine quality was his humility. As an example, it was commonly understood that Brother Swingle picked out the name for our Awake! magazine. However, he would humbly say... not really, because it was Brother Franz who thought to put the "exclamation point on the end of it!" Another outstanding exam-ple of humility is how Brother Swingle would pray to Jehovah on his knees even when in recent times it was very difficult for him to get up. But he would insist and say "that's what knees are for".
Closing comments by Bro. Barber -
Made reference to Rom. 8; Rev. 20:6; 1 Cor. 15:53-54 "im-mor¬tal¬ity/ incorruption". We can all rejoice with Lyman in his new assignment... some of us hope to join him there!
Closing prayer: Bro. Barr Attendance: 4,???
