Leon Dallas Swigert

Leon (Lee) Dallas Swigert left us on July 12, 2022, at the young age of 90. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

On November 3, 1931, a bouncing baby boy was born to Paul Dallas and Thelma Irene (Hyde) Swigert in Caldwell, Idaho. As this was at the end of the great depression, Lee often mentioned that his birth was paid for by bartering two weaner pigs. He was raised in Arena Valley in Wilder, Idaho. Lee attended school in Wilder, Idaho. While in high school, Lee was involved in football, boxing, baseball, and various other clubs, all while farming and ranching the family acreage. Lee graduated from high school in 1948 and enlisted in the US Air Force shortly after.

Once on active-duty Lee was promptly sent to Japan on WWII occupation duty. Within 9 days, the Korean War broke out and he was sent to South Korea. Lee served 4 years of active duty receiving a bronze star, two purple hearts and multiple other commendations. Lee returned with honor in 1953.

Upon his return Lee attended Idaho State University on the GI bill, eventually becoming a teacher.  Lee met and married Virla Sharlene Nalder in 1956 having two sons, Terry (Swigert) Wade and Mark (Swigert) Wade. They later divorced in 1959. In the summer of 1960, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Lee met the love of his life LeAnn Crooks. They married in 1961 and welcomed their first son, Patrick, late that year. A son Curtis was born in 1964 followed by a daughter Leslie in 1966. 

In 1971 the family relocated to Middleton, Idaho for work. Lee was employed by the US Postal Service from 1965 until 1991 when he retired. While in Middleton the family lived on a small acreage that quickly became the town zoo as it was home to many exotic and domestic animals. At one time housing, swans, deer, pigmy goats, rhea’s, pigeons, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, endangered and rare ducks and pheasants, a complete aviary with cockatoos, parrots, lovebirds and parakeets, trout ponds, geese, llamas, cows, and of course, dogs and cats.  In addition, Lee was known for his huge gardens and was a master gardener for flowers and trees.  Lee always was out to make a difference and became involved in local and state politics. He served 6 years on the Canyon County Fair Board, 8 years on the Middleton School Board, including chair, Mayor of Middleton, Idaho for 8 years, Water Coalition Board and various other boards that benefited his home State.

In 2006 Lee and LeAnn relocated to Rupert, Idaho to be closer to family. While in Rupert, Lee has made many friends. He always lived larger than life.  Lee’s prophetic high school senior quote read, “Greater men may have lived, but I doubt it.” He strived every day to live up to this goal.

Leon was preceded in death by all grandparents, parents Dallas and Thelma Swigert, sister Carmen Reid, brother-in-law James Reid, and son Curtis Lee Swigert.  He is survived by his wife LeAnn Crooks Swigert, son Patrick (Barbara) Swigert and daughter Leslie (Don) Garner, Terry (Jill) Wade and family, Mark (Sheryl) Wade and family, and grandchildren, Shannon (Daniel) Gettings, Dallas (Melissa) Garner, Dana Swigert, Tyler (Esther) Garner and great grandchildren, Aubrey, Dalton, Brody, Ryder, Marshall and Quinn.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary, Rupert, Idaho. A grave site service will be held at Middleton, Idaho Cemetery on Friday August 19, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.

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