Garry Swartz

Garry Swartz, 74, of Arlington, Texas died Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, as a result of complications from COVID-19, with his daughter by his side. Funeral: Feb. 24 at 3:00 pm at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Interment to be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. The service will also be livestreamed at wadefamilyfuneralhome.com. Click on Mr. Swartz' photo and then click on "photos & videos" & scroll to the bottom of the page and click on watch webcast. Garry was born Mar. 27, 1946, in Minden, Nebr., to Einer and Elsa (Lampman) Swartz, the second of five children. He graduated from Axtell High School in 1964. After graduating, he went to the Omaha Universal Trade School obtaining an Auto Mechanics certificate and worked as a diesel mechanic at companies Lincoln Equipment and Mason in Lincoln, Nebr. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in Oct. 1969 and proudly served as part of the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagle” Division, serving one year stateside and one year in Vietnam. During his time in Lincoln, he met Patricia “Pat” Dickman and they were united in marriage on February 26, 1972 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Grand Island, Nebr. This union was blessed with a daughter, Crystal Ann. After their wedding, Garry and Pat moved to Chapman, Nebr. where he worked as a Moorman's feed salesman before eventually becoming a Body Shop Manager at Peterbilt dealer, Doonan Truck & Equipment, for 11 years. In 1988, the family moved to South Sioux City, Nebr. where he worked as a physical damage & cargo claims adjuster for Great West Casualty. In November 1997, the family moved to Arlington, Texas. In addition to the 12 years of working for Great West, he also worked for Cambridge Integrated Services, and later Great American Insurance Company, from which he retired in 2012. Garry had a laid back demeanor with a great sense of humor, keeping those around him laughing. He had many interests which included classic cars and tractors, watching the Cornhuskers play, talking about farming, tinkering in his garage or on home projects, and socializing with friends at the VFW. Garry could have a conversation with anyone, making it seem as if he'd known them for years. He loved going fishing and RVing with his wife, especially in South Dakota, as well as spending weekly Saturday daddy-daughter days with his daughter. Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter Crystal Swartz of Arlington; sisters Joyce Pelle of Aurora, Colo. and Pauline (Kenny) Norgaard of Minden, Nebr.; and brother Paul (Gwen) Swartz of Minden, Nebr.; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Garry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Pat of 45 years in 2017; one brother Richard Swartz; sister-in-law Sherryl Swartz and brother-in-law Mike Pelle. Wade Family Funeral Home & Crematory 817-274-9233