Michael Swigger

Our big brother Michael Paul Swigger, 68, passed away over the weekend of July 8, 2012. Mike was the third son of Paul C. and Loneta Swigger. He is survived by his two older brothers, Ronald Swigger of Albuquerque, N.M., and Keith Swigger of Denton Texas; and by his younger brother Gerald Swigger of Thousand Oaks. Although Mike did not have any children of his own, he was the deeply beloved uncle of Jacob and Paul Swigger, who grew up with him as a constant in their lives and by his nieces, Jocelyn, Bettina, and Jessica and his nephew Nathaniel. He was the great uncle of Jacob’s son, Jason and daughter, Shannon and Jocelyn’s son, Ben. Mike’s influence and connections did not end by a blood line. He is also survived by his dearly loved friend, Sarah Busse Nelson and her family, Pete, Emily, and Steve of Thousand Oaks. Mike managed the Nelsons’ property and garden for 22 years. The Nelsons had practically made Mike a part of their family. Born in Wichita, Kan., Mike came to California in his twenties and opened Artcraft, a business that enabled photographers to process their own work. In the late 1970s he sold his business and became a gardener. He found his calling and was a consummate gardener, always more comfortable outside than in. His interest in the environment spurred him to conceptualize and patent an oceanbased fresh water containment device that others are now pursuing. Mike was a great friend to many, always the first to make new friends. This gentle, sometimes stubborn soul, lived by Thoreau’s advice to let the wind shake the chestnuts down for you. Mike only wanted to “Live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man”. We will miss him forever. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, July 21, at the Conejo Valley Botanical Gardens “Trail of Trees” in Thousand Oaks at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers. Donations may be made to Conejo Valley Botanic Gardens. Assisting the family with funeral arrangements is the Perez Family Funeral Home in Camarillo. Tel: (805) 983-3457. Please sign Mike’s guestbook at www.CamarilloMortuary.com Please sign the guest book at obits.VenturaCountyStar.com.