James Scott Swift was born on October 5, 1947, to Dean and Janaan Swift in DeKalb, Illinois, and found peace on May 8, 2026, after enduring significant health challenges with the same quiet determination that defined his life. His early years were spent in Waterman, Illinois, and he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree at Western Illinois University, and his Master’s degree at Northern Illinois University. It was at Western where he met his lifelong love, Penny Scanlon. Together they shared an inseparable bond for 55 years.

Jim and Penny were blessed with three children: Corey Swift, Tom (Kristin) Swift, and Jodie (Paul) Skinner. He was immensely proud of all three. A devoted Big Ten fan his entire life, Jim got to watch all three of his children go on to conference schools: Corey to Purdue, Tom to Indiana, and Jodie to Iowa. He never missed a chance to cheer them on. He cherished his four grandchildren, Addison and Gavin Skinner and Alexis and Brody Swift, and three beloved furry grands, Bailey, Bella, and Marley. Family was his greatest joy.

Over the course of his career, Jim taught and coached at Shabbona, Saint Edwards, Schaumburg, and Hoffman Estates High Schools. He began his coaching career on the basketball court, where his passion for the game and his players set the tone for everything that followed. He went on to coach track and cross country as well, leaving his mark on every athlete who ever laced up for him. He coached because he believed in hard work and the value of showing up every single day, and his athletes carried that with them long after their final season. He was a mentor, inspiration, and advisor to countless students and athletes, and he ended his career in the District 211 Transportation Department.

Besides his immediate family, Jim is survived by his sister Catherine Swift and brother Terry (Peggy) Swift, and his Scanlon family: David (Oliva) Scanlon, Regina (Rick) Weber, and Paul (Sherry) Scanlon, along with many nieces and nephews. He was welcomed into heaven by his parents, his in-laws Ted and Grace Scanlon, and sisters-in-law Sally Kowal and Debbie (Wayne) Milarski. His generosity, his thoughtfulness, and his ability to fill a room with laughter were gifts he gave freely and often.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Chandler's Chophouse, 401 N. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, June 12, with a tribute and toast to Jim at 5:30 PM.

He will be profoundly missed by his family and all whose lives he touched.

He was, and always will be, our North Star.

In remembrance of his life, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the V Foundation.