Allen "Al" D. Swift

   Allen “Al” D. Swift, 61, of Sioux City died unexpectedly on Sunday, January 6, 2019, at a Sioux City hospital.

   Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 11, 2019, at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City with Deacon Dennis Brockhaus officiating.  Burial with military honors will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m. with the family present 6 to 8 p.m.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

   Allen Dean, the son of Donald W. and Leota (Smith) Swift, was born April 23, 1957, in Fort Dodge, IA.  He grew up in Fort Dodge and graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1975.  In October of 1975, Al enlisted in the United States Air Force and served until his honorable discharge on October 1, 1979.

   Al was united in marriage to Melanie J. Lindstrom on May 29, 1976, in Council Bluffs, IA.   This union was blessed with two sons: Matt and Chris. 

   Following his time in the service, Al worked as a firefighter at the Air Force Base in Minot, ND for four years.  In 1983, he accepted a firefighter position in Hazen, ND at the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant.  In 1987, he became Assistant Fire Chief with the 185^th Air National Guard in Sioux City until his retirement on May 5, 2018.

   Al enjoyed doing construction work and helped many people with remodeling projects.  He also used his construction talent and volunteered many hours working on the STARS barn, building sets for North High’s Madrigal and building the playset at the Ronald McDonald House where he also served on the board.  Al enjoyed picking on people and joking with them on Facebook.

   He is survived by his wife, Melanie Swift; two sons: Matt (Kim) Swift and Chris (Natalie) Swift; four grandchildren: Hunter, Bri, Cooper and Kailyn; ten siblings: Charlene Ryan, Linda Hill, Jim (Jan) Wynkoop, Brenda Cornman, Donald (Glenda) Swift, Jr., Necia Bass, Diana Markert, Barry Swift, Rhonda (Harry) Summers and Dennis Swift.

   He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kevin Swift.

   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Allen Swift Memorial Fund in which a scholarship will be created in his name.