Randall Edward Swaim

      Randall “Randy” Edward Swaim, former postmaster of Lorain, Ohio died September 13, 2009 at age 92. He was born June 19, 1917 in Gladstone, Michigan to Charles and Katherine Swaim before moving to Lorain, Ohio in 1919.

       Randy was a graduate of Lorain High School Class of 1935B and married Julia Carter of Hickory, Mississippi in 1942. They met in Hattiesburg, Mississippi while Randy was on his first assignment with the Army at Camp Shelby. Randy and Julia have two children, Susan Swaim Spooner (Ronald) of Glen Allen, Virginia and Randall E. Swaim Jr. (Cyndy) of Ventura, California.

       Randy joined the Army in 1941 and served in the 166^th Infantry Band and the 223rd Army Ground Forces Band during WW II. He was part of the Mediterranean Theatre Band and served a tour in Rome, Italy during the war.

       Following World War II, Randy began his career with the Lorain Post Office as a Letter Carrier in 1946. He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers and after a series of promotions, was appointed to Postmaster of Lorain on October 30, 1971. Randy worked for the postal service for 37 years and retired in 1978 after serving as Postmaster=2 for seven years.

       Randy devoted his free time to community service and was very active in the Lorain Lions Club for many years, serving terms as club President and Secretary. He is a member of the Lions Club International Foundation and a Melvin Jones Fellow. Randy also volunteered at Lorain Community Health Partners Hospital for many years as well as with Lorain Ohio Volunteers in Education (LOVE). He was a member of the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame where he served on the selection committee and was President in 1984.

       Randy was a lifetime member of the former Christ United Methodist Church and a former member of the Lorain Masonic Lodge. His love of music included playing trombone in the Jimmy Dulio dance band and the Lorain Municipal Band summer concerts in the park.

       Later in life Randy spent five years as a resident of the Wesleyan Village in Elyria, Ohio where he participated in the Bell Choir and Chimes Choir. The last year of his life was spent in Richmond, Virginia where he enjoyed his remaining days with family.

       Randy is preceded in death by his wife Julia Carter Swaim, a sister, Evelyn (Vincent) Vick, two brothers, Glenn (Gene) Swaim and Dale (Madelyn) Swaim. He is survived by his daughter Susan (Ronald) Swaim Spooner of Glen Allen, VA, his son Randall (Cyndy) Swaim, Jr. of Ventura, CA; six grandchildren, Christine Ketterer of Richmond, VA, Edward A. Ketterer IV of Grand Haven, MI, Jennifer Chavez, Charles Swaim, Judith Crommelin, and David Swaim all of Ventura, CA. Randy is also survived by 13 great grand children who were the joy of his life.

       A Memorial Service will be held at Wesleyan Village, 807 West Ave. Elyria, Ohio 44035 on Thursday, September 17^th, at 10:00 a.m. Visitation with family will begin at 9:30 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Lorain Lions Club Foundation, P.O. Box 298 Lorain, Ohio 44052.

       Local arrangements are being handled by the Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street, Lorain, Ohio,  44052.