Lowell Franklin Swartz

Lowell Franklin Swartz, age 84, of Jackson Michigan, passed peacefully on December 26, 2025, surrounded by family. His life was a voyage of discovery and adventure.  He was born on December 19,1941 in Lincoln, Michigan in a drafty, one room cabin during a snowstorm to Clayton and Ada Swartz. Like so many of his generation, he caught polio at the age of 9 and had to learn to walk again.  His father passed the following year and his first job, at age 11, was helping a neighbor's dairy farm for $3 a week. He worked hard and was proud to contribute to the family income. He continued working farms as the family moved around. Killmaster, Harrisville and then Three Rivers, where he attended High School and found work in a bowling alley, setting pins.

Lowell joined the Navy in 1959 eager to improve his life. He spent 23 years viewing the world through a porthole. He started as a Machinist Mate serving on the USS Fort Snelling and proceeded to Nuclear School in Bainbridge Maryland in 1965, He married Janet Waters in her family's living room in 1962, and in 1968 they joyfully welcomed their son Lee into their lives.   By 1969 he was a Chief Petty Officer serving as Machinist Mate on the USS Ranger. Lowell earned his B.S. at  Purdue University in 1972. He majored in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science through the U.S. Navy Scholarship Program. His work ethic and open mind propelled him to the post of  Lieutenant Commander by the time he retired from the navy in 1982.

In his autobiography, his "about the author" section describes his second career simply and elegantly.  "His travels did not stop after his naval career; they continued as he embarked on a second career that took him to even more fascinating places. With more than fifty destinations, each leaving a mark on his soul, Lowell's stories testify to his adventurous spirit and curiosity about the world and its people."
Lowell had a number of hobbies and interests, golf, photography, fishing, cars and writing to name a few.

In later years, Lowell had an RV and he would hit the road with his dogs and head out west for warmth or to Alaska to visit his son, Lee. One memorable journey from Michigan to California included a mass migration of Swartz family members. Many of them, under 4 feet. There were stops at national parks and other landmarks. Truly a trip of a lifetime. When it was time to give up the RV, he had a place in Florida where he would meet up with  dear friends Bonnie and Jerry.

Lowell is survived by his son, Lee Swartz and his family Carrie, Autumn and Samantha, his sister, Sandra Van Norman, his former wife, Janet Howard and his dog, Tater. Also by so many adoring nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great-great grand nieces and nephews who gave him the affectionate moniker "Unc."

His last big project was the writing and publishing of his autobiography. He worked on it for five years. Our family is so grateful for the effort he put into documenting his struggles and triumphs.

"I came to believe that war represents the failure of diplomacy. War is primitive and barbaric. It is like playground politics because bullying and blaming the victim is childish. However, I know Utoptia is out of reach for at least my lifetime. The US Navy will undoubtedly be around "till hell freezes over."        – Excerpt From "Poverty to Prosperity, The Path Forged by a Poor Boy to Become an Officer in the US Navy" by Lowell Swartz.

Lowell will be sorely missed. His big smile, hearty laugh, and general willingness to get into cahoots with you on a project was a rare combo. He was generous, kind, had a great sense of humor and a disdain for snowglobes. He made those around him feel loved and supported.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Ada Swartz, his brother and sister in law Elihu and Mary Swartz, sisters, Ellen Karbowsky and Darlene Eidemueller, and brothers in law, Gordon Van Norman, Ronald Tullock, Art Eidemueller and Earl Kelly, nephew Robert Tullock and his grand nephew, Nathan Swartz. Also his beloved dogs, Princess and Spud.

Per Lowell's request, no services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Shelter in Jackson, Michigan.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family Owned for 135 Years