James Nolan Swick was born on April 6, 1928, in Clinton, Nebraska. He died peacefully surrounded by his family, June 4, 2009, in Plano, Texas after a short illness. He was a true master craftsman. If he had an idea to build something, he could build it. He built everything from well drilling machines, houses, hangars, cars, trucks, tools and especially his life long passion, airplanes. He retired from Braniff Airways after 27 years. He attended Parkway Hills Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. He was known for his love and loyalty to family and his many life long friends. He was well known for his hospitality, his keen sense of humor and his endless stories from his remarkable life. He was a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather and mentor to the many aviators that crossed his life. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife of 11 years, Ruth Swick; son, Mike Swick and wife Karen; daughters, Janice Irwin and husband Larry and Lareen Rains and husband Joe, Sheri Durham, Diane Carroll, Ginger Hamilton and husband Eldon; grandchildren, Scott Creekmore and wife Timi, Chris Clark and wife Samantha, John Benson and wife Leslie, Nathan Carroll, Zachary Byrd and Marisa Durham; great-grandchildren, Brock, Keaton, Brian, Ethan and Nathan. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 43 years, Dorla Egli Swick; grandson, Steven Clark; granddaughter, Jessica Durham and son-in-law, Mark Durham. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., on Monday, June 8, 2009 in the Chapel at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas, with Rev. Jerry Halbrook officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 7, 2009 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jessica Haley Durham memorial at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas, 75219.