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Forrest Swall Obituary

Forrest Lowell Swall

Forrest Lowell Swall died at home on Dec. 30, 2014, from complications of lymphoma and leukemia. After developing leukemia 4 years ago, he continued to focus on his top priority – being with and taking care of his wife of 59 years, Donna Stearns Swall, which included many trips in their beloved 'Mothership' RV. They loved to crisscross the country (at 50 mph) to visit scenic places and many friends and family, especially daughter Tara and daughter-in-law Kasey in California, and daughter Maria, son-in-law Doug and grandson Ben in Colorado. Waiting at home in Lawrence, KS, was son Ron and his partner Jackie, plus the social justice causes that spoke to their hearts long after Forrest retired from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Memorial service: Saturday, 2/14 at 2:30 at the Lied Center. In lieu of flowers, donations welcome to Just Food, Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence, Swall Social Advocacy Award, or a cause close to your heart. Additional information at the Cremation Center of Kansas City's website. Please do not send flowers to the Cremation Center as there will be no service at that location.

Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Jan. 8, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Forrest Swall

Not sure what to say?





Tara Swall

February 7, 2015

Love you Dad. You will always be with me.

February 2, 2015

Such a wonderful friend who had such a sense of humor. Our many trips with the Lawrence Civic Choir are times that I will cherish always. A wonderful human being with whom I had the honor of making this earthly journey. Jan Smith

jackson winters

January 14, 2015

Dear Donna and Ron,
I am saddened to learn of the death of your devoted husband and father. Forest is one of my heroes, as I know he is of many.
I can only imagine how much you miss him. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Jack

Barb Young Innes

January 14, 2015

I will always remember his great contributions to social work and his caring personality. Donna.....thinking of you all. He will be so missed ..What a Special MAN!

Cherisa (Williams) Dulin Jones

January 14, 2015

To the Family of Professor Swall,
He was a wonderful teacher! I thoroughly enjoyed his Social Welfare class at KU. He was open-minded, fair, and encouraged open intelligent dialogue. He was a nice part of the Lawrence Community.

Kim Murphree

January 14, 2015

Dear Swall family: We share your loss of this great man. We will miss his intelligence, compassion, and determination to motivate communities to do the right thing. Our prayers are with you. Our gratitude is immense for the life of Forrest Swall. Kim and Mike Murphree

January 13, 2015

Just a note to let you know my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours during this difficult time. Forrest was always such a kind, gentle person, and I always admired him. Betty M Reynolds, a 1949 Lee' s Summit High School classmate.

Lynda Kieffer

January 12, 2015

Donna,
We're thankful that we could spend some time with you and the family over the holidays and that we had a chance to say good-bye to Forrest. He was an incredible person and we are very saddened by his loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Lynda, George, Keanna and Joshua

Louise Brunelle

January 12, 2015

Dear Donna and Family; I am so sorry to read about Forrest passing. I have missed your friendship since I retired and left Lawrence. Take care.

Jan Torrey Leonard

January 11, 2015

My deepest sympathies to you Ron and your family.

Angela Lowe

January 9, 2015

Continued blessings to Donna and family for comfort, strength and peace. Forrest's healing has come. Assurances of providential care to all of you in the days and months ahead.

LeMyra Allen

January 9, 2015

Donna, Sorry to hear about your husband. Have missed hearing from you as all the years we worked together and had many adventures when I worked as BD teacher. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

LeMyra Allen

January 9, 2015

Donna, so sorry to hear about your husband. Have missed seeing you after all our adventures when we worked together and I was a BD teacher. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, LeMyra

Betty Dutton

January 8, 2015

Forrest, you were like a brother in many ways to Ed. You will always be with us.
My love to your wonderful wife, Donna. Betty Dutton

Charlene Galloway

January 8, 2015

Mrs swall so sorry to hear about your husband he was a very good person my god bless and keep you and the family I often think about how you was always there for me when I wAs in school I just want to thank god for the both of I love you so much plz call me 620-251-3334 any time

Karen Locke

January 8, 2015

We are so saddened to hear of the passing of Forrest. He was an inspiration and wonderful example of faith in action. He helped so many people with so many things! Our condolences to his family and to sweet Donna. Love, Karen and Tom Locke

Sonja Feist

January 8, 2015

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Forrest. He was a longtime leader and member of PFLAG Lawrence/Topeka. We will miss his presence at our meetings. He was a true advocate for the LGBT Community. Our condolences to Donna.

Molly Coplen

January 8, 2015

Love you Forrest. Thank you so much for making Lawrence home and getting me inovled or introducing me to some many of your events.

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results

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