Edward Eugene “Ned” Swaim
Edward Eugene “Ned” Swaim, 73 of Tipton was born on August 18, 1949, in Elwood, Indiana, son of Howard and Mary Adona (Shaw) Swaim, and crossed over to eternal life on September 1, 2022.
Edward will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. Among his many admirable traits: a gifted storyteller, a sly humorist, an astute political observer, an accomplished musician, a dedicated visual artist, a responsible global citizen, and a caring friend.
Edward grew up in Tipton where he enjoyed playing little league. He graduated from Tipton High School in 1967 where he served as class president his junior and senior year.
Music was a lifelong and deeply felt passion for him. With classmates from high school, Edward formed a band called Gulliver’s Travels and later was a bass player for The Taxmen, a busy side gig to his studies at Ball State University. The band had steady bookings throughout the Indiana/Ohio concert circuit year-round. In addition, as college kids, they found themselves opening for stellar bands MC5 in Indian Lake, Ohio and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band at the University of Cincinnati. Edward’s solo on Cream’s “Badge” was his signature. His commitment to musical excellence was a lifelong pursuit and one he shared with his granddaughters who, no doubt, will continue to be inspired by the gift he gave them.
He graduated from Ball State University in 1971 with a B.S. in Art. He was the standout student in his art studies, one to whom fellow students looked to for creative inspiration and his teachers regarded as multi-talented. His sculptures, jewelry, photography, and paintings are a lasting reminder of his gift.
In 1974 he and friend Jane Fitzgerald opened Leo & Jane, a graphic art studio in Arlington, Virginia, later changing the name to Fitzgerald & Swaim. They were commissioned to produce the advertising for the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. one year and Ned was the designer of the art for the very first Tipton County Pork Festival. Due to health issues, Edward withdrew from the business in September 1998. Shortly after that he returned to Tipton.
He is survived by his son Todd Swaim, daughter in-law Heidi Swaim, granddaughters Ruby and Eleanor Swaim, Los Angeles; sisters Cassandra Plake, Tipton and Cindy Ison , brother in-law Ted Ison, Kokomo; several nieces and nephews. Ned was preceded in death by his parents, nephew Barry Plake, and lifelong friend Fritz Surber.
He was so proud of Todd and he adored his granddaughters and was fortunate to spend a week with them just two weeks prior to his death.
A memorial service for Ned will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home. The family will receive friends starting at 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Ned donated his body to science for medical education and he will be buried with his parents at Fairview Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions in honor of Edward may be made to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, Illinois, 60674 or the Kemp United Methodist Church, 228 N. Main Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.
Cass, Cindy and Ned’s family, I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy and prayers for all of you.
I am shocked to see this. I just saw Ned not long ago, in the city park. I send my heartfelt condolences to the family. May God bless you all and keep you all in his care, during this difficult time.
To all of Ned’s family , I was so sorry to read about him. I knew him in high school and went to many of Gulliver’s Travels performances. He was awesome! Sad to think he was back in Tipton and our paths never crossed. Will pray for all of you…
Ned was a lifelong friend. I so admired his ease in dealing with life. He was fun and funny, and always had a story to tell. I loved his “riding through Tipton on his bike” story. I felt like I was riding next to him. Just thinking of him will always make me smile.
My sympathy to his family. and friends.
I am deeply sorry to hear of Ned’s passing, and extend my condolences to his family. He was a great friend and a very creative person who enriched the lives of all who knew him. His memory will be a blessing for us all.
I was so shocked to hear of Ned’s passing. I had the opportunity to talk at length with Ned at our 55th class reunion! I was the drummer for the Gulliver’s Travelers and then we renamed it the GT 5. It was a joy to play in the band with Ned, Fritz Surber-Lead Guitarist, Steve Daughtery-keyboardist, Dan Cochran-bassist! What a sorrowful loss! Gods speed Ned! Rock on!
An awesome classmate. And he put his whole self into his passions of music and art in his quiet way. He will remembered by all whose path you crossed.
Condolences to his family.
Ned and I went through together from first thru High school, when his mother was music teacher at Jefferson School. I know of 3 time him and 2 other our school mates did special in our spring, mainly because of your mother, she was a great lady. I got to see Ned at our 55 class reunion, he look about but like didn’t have much hair like, I will miss him a lot. Wish I could be there but I moved to Florida a year ago, I wasn’t going to come but glad I did.