Charles Swift

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Phil Swift on January 24th, 2025 after a brief illness.

Phil was born September 3rd, 1943 in San Francisco, CA to Charles and Roberta Swift.

This was one of many places Phil lived, here in the U.S. & overseas. Phil's father retired from the Navy

after 20 years of service to Lyons, CO, where Phil graduated from high school in 1961.

Phil also served in the Navy for 2 years and was discharged in 1970 after an injury during duty, and he received a

National Defense Service Medal.

Phil studied journalism at CU Boulder and worked for newspapers in several different states. Phil married

Charlene Cole in Cedar City, Utah on June 9th, 1984. They made their home together in Wickenburg, AZ, where Phil

was the editor at the Wickenburg Sun for many years. Phil had a gift for writing and loved talking with people from all

walks of life. He enjoyed rodeos & all things western. He loved his Wickenburg community, friends, coworkers, and his

church family at Calvary Baptist.

Phil is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 37 years, Charlene, who passed away in 2021, and his parents, Charles &

Roberta Swift.

Phil is survived by his brother Dolph (Cheryl) Swift, step-sons Derek Cole and Darren (Rae Lynn) Cole, granddaughters

Cortney (Steven) Hall and Summer (Ryan) Walters, great grandchildren Ollie, Pyper, Stevie, and Leah, sisters-in-law

Eula (Corey) Degenstein, Billy Johnson, brother-in-law Earl Saxon, and Phil's cousin Wayne Myer.

In honor of his final wishes, Phil's ashes will be joined with his loving wife's at their Prescott National Cemetery vault

In February.