Cover photo for Jay A. Swander's Obituary
Jay A. Swander Profile Photo
1941 Jay 2024

Jay A. Swander

February 24, 1941 — August 9, 2024

Albuquerque

Jay A. Swander, Colonel, USAF (Retired)

Colonel Jay A. Swander, USAF (Retired) lived life to the fullest and loved to travel. He always said, “I’m going to travel until the doctor tells me to stop”. He explored 67 countries on 5 continents and all US States. He desired nothing more than to take one more trip and on August 9, 2024, he took his final trip when he passed away in his home from natural causes and went to be with his family who pre-deceased him. 

Jay was born in South San Francisco, CA on February 24, 1941 to Harley and Wanga Swander. He had a lot of energy and was physically active throughout his life. He excelled at running track, golfing, playing softball, and bowling. He graduated from Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, CA in 1958 where he was referred to as “track star” and “fastest man at Hillsdale” by classmates. He went on to graduate from San Jose University with a BS in Industrial Relations, Personnel Management, and Psychology.

Following undergraduate school, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant through Officer Training School, entering the Security Police career field. He completed his military service to his country in the grade of Colonel after 29 years of active duty.

He held the position as Chief, Security Police and Squadron Commander at seven worldwide Air Force installations. His duties included the security of nuclear weapons, law enforcement activities, anti-terrorism techniques, customs, base defense, and personnel/information security functions. He served at Phu Cat Air Base (1970-1971) in South Vietnam with the 520 person 12th SPS, receiving the Bronze Star for his leadership actions under enemy engagement. His most rewarding tour of duty was as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Security for the United States Air Forces in Europe, 1986-1989 overseeing 59 bases located in 8 countries with 9,500 security force personnel. 

He felt that his biggest military career achievement was the successful basing and security of the Ground Launched Cruise Missile weapon system at six bases from the United Kingdom to Sicily. The fielding of this critical weapon system resulted in the signing of the Intermediate Nuclear Force Treaty, and the “Wall” came down between West and East Berlin in 1989. 

His last assignment was on the Air Staff at the Pentagon where he was the Director of Security Policy and Deputy Chief of Security Police. He guided the policy support for over 400 Air Force installations and over 40,000 security personnel to include the security policy activities to support Desert Shield and Desert Storm actions against Iraq in 1991-1992. 

As Chairman of the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Program, he oversaw the dog training for all military services, use of dogs to protect the President and Vice President, and drug suppression support for US Customs. He completed this Air Staff assignment and his career in the Air Force as the Acting Chief of Security Police in 1992.

After leaving the Air Force, he worked for Wackenhut Services, Inc. as the Deputy General Manager, Department of Energy - Central Training Academy on Kirkland AFB. He was responsible for training and support functions for over 150 courses including: firearms, tactics, SWAT, sniper, Executive Protection, leadership, supervision, etc. for DOE, FBI, DEA, DOS, US Customs/Border Patrol, and state and local police departments. He was instrumental in the Academy receiving the Quality New Mexico “Roadrunner Award”, three Vice Presidential “Hammer Awards” for Quality, and the first ever Secretary of Energy “Center of Training Excellence Award”.

He went on to complete Masters Studies at the University of Southern California in Police Administration; University of Georgia in Corrections Administration; Air Command and Staff College in Organizational Planning, Programming, and Budgeting; and Air War College in National Security Policy, Executive Leadership, and Organizational Management.

He was a Life Member of the Air Force Association, Air War College Foundation, Military Officer Association of America, Air Force Security Forces Association, and Delta Upsilon Social Fraternity. He also served on the Board of Directors for The 100 Club of New Mexico. He gave talks on identity theft to social, fraternal, church, and neighborhood organizations for many years.

Jay worked hard and played hard throughout his life and was skilled at maintaining relationships with friends and colleagues over the years. He could enjoy fine dining with friends just as easily as he could relax at home with a cold ginger ale and bowl of ice cream to “fill in the corners” while watching sports.

On your next trip, give a toast to Jay as he is most certainly traveling along side you in spirit!

Jay is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary Lou Swander. He is also survived by his daughter Janéa A. Swander, daughter Amy E. Allison, son Scott B. Allison and his wife Karen, granddaughters, Eva Allison and Hannah Allison, brother Lee E. Swander, nephew Jeffrey Swander and his wife Whitney, and nephew David Swander and his wife Kristy along with grand nephews and grand nieces. 

Jay was preceded in death by his father, Harley R. Swander, mother, Wanga A. Chamberlain Swander, nephew, Robert Swander, sister-in-law, Gail Swander as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers and in support of Jay's community, please consider donating to one of the following New Mexico veterans organizations or donating to a veterans organization of your choice:

Soldiers Angels (soldiersangels.org/)

Paws and Stripes - Helping Dogs, Helping Heroes (www.pawsandstripes.org)

Women Veterans of New Mexico (womenveteransofnewmexico.org)

New Mexico Veterans Integration Centers (www.nmvic.org)

There will be a celebration of life service for Jay in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 11/1/2024

Please see below for details.

To order memorial trees in memory of Jay A. Swander, please visit our tree store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Funeral Service

Friday, November 1, 2024

10:00 - 11:00 am (Mountain time)

Daniels Family Funeral Services - Wyoming Chapel

7601 Wyoming Blvd, Albuquerque, NM 87109

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Interment

Friday, November 1, 2024

2:30 - 3:00 pm (Mountain time)

Santa Fe National Cemetery

501 N Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501

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