Darwin Harland Swimmer, Sr.

The son of Mae Horeslooking and Durwood H. Swimmer was born in the Cherry county of Valentine Nebraska. Darwin Harland Swimmer Sr. was born on the 12th day of April 1965. On April 06, 2019 at the age of 54 years young, he left to walk the spirit world. He grew up in Rosebud, South Dakota. Learning to ride horses and breaking the wild ones out on the prairie, he spent most of his time with his grandfather George Horeslooking and his uncle Collins Horselooking. Darwin spent most of his days playing in the country where grandpa George taught him how to drive standard trucks, which helped him out throughout his career in the Army, and his life time. Our dad owned a green ford standard truck that was so loud but, yet it was something he was proud of. I remember if it went out, he’d do everything, in is power to get it to start working again. If it got him from point A to point B and back home to his wife and children, he was okay with it.             On May 24th, 1984, Darwin H. Swimmer Sr. Entered Active Duty; Army/RA, In Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He stationed out at Fort Stewart, GA. From there he served as Alpha Battery 5th, 52nd Air Defense Artillery. In his time of serving he received; Army Service Ribbon// Sharpshooter Badge (Pistol .45 Cal)//Marksman Badge (Rifle-M16A1)// First Class Badge (Hand Grenade). He was so proud of all he accomplished work and where he’s been, he’d never let us forget. On the 11th day of April 1985, Darwin-Private Regular Army- was discharged from the United States Army. He then proceeded to work with the Forest Service in Region 2 as a firefighter type one. He stayed in this field of work for about 23 years. He’s traveled the world, seen many places made many fire buddies. Every one of his fire buddies told the family he was a funny guy, but when it got serious that’s what he was, a serious guy. He knew when to crack jokes and when not to. Our dad would tell of the places he seen, he’d tell us how he’d scout ahead of the crew when they spiked out and he would hear unexplainable noises. The best part about this career in this field of work was when he’d come home after a fire for us kids. He’d spoil us with cases of Gatorade, bags of candy, and even MRE’s.             Darwin Swimmer Sr. was a MacGyver. In other words, found his way to fix things or made things work without the right tool. In his life time he was an Electrician, a Security Guard and did maintenance work for Peridot Economic Enterprise. He also did cattle work for the cattle association. He did everything. Work was work for him if it paid and got dinner on the table. Darwin was the lead of the Swimmer family on the San Carlos Reservation.   Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at Burdette Hall in San Carlos, AZ