Charles Raymond Swore

Charles Raymond Swore

Cedar Rapids

Charles Raymond Swore, 79 and a lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, went home to be with his heavenly Father, on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, with his wife, Carol and family at his side. There will be a Celebration of Life at 1 p.m. followed by a reception from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, at Stonebridge Church, 1829 Stoney Point Rd. SW, Cedar Rapids. The family would love everyone to attend and feel free to dress casually, this will not be a funeral it is a celebration of Chuck's life and his healing that has taken place in Heaven. Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family.

Chuck is survived by his biggest love on earth, his family: wife, Carol; children, Tim (Tammy) Swore, Teri (Peter) Eklund, Tami (Dennis) Scarpetta and Trisha Young; 19 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Chuck was born on Dec. 21, 1942, to George and Thelma Swore, in Baraboo, Wis., in a Ringling Brothers (Circus Tent)......actually a Ringling Brothers Hospital. He had six brothers, Leroy, Pete, Denny, Chris, Jerry and Rick, and three sisters, Darlene, Cindy and Sandy. Chuck attended Roosevelt Junior High School where he met his future wife Carol, and graduated in 1960 from Jefferson High School. Shortly after high school graduation they married. They spent 60 years together and loved their hometown, often opening up their home to young kids who needed a place to stay. The Swore’s are members of Stonebridge Church in Cedar Rapids.

His other love was his hometown of Cedar Rapids. Chuck was an apprentice electrician, eventually becoming business agent of IBEW local 405. After his time heading up the union he joined friend Don Barriger Sr. at ACME electric. During his years at Acme he x valso very involved in the community and helped create the Cedar Rapids Electrical Training Center where local journeymen can teach and train apprentice electricians. That facility is considered one of the top programs in the Midwest.

In the mid-’70s he teamed with local car dealer Bill Fletcher to campaign for the building of the 5 Seasons Center, which is now the Alliant Energy Powerhouse. His dream was for Cedar Rapids to have a concert venue, civic center and hotel all in one facility and that dream came true. There are other places all over town where Chuck had his hand in making ideas become a reality: the Science station and Iowa BIG (in which one of his grandsons participated); and he was instrumental in bringing NewBo to Cedar Rapids. These are a few of the many programs that he supported.

Chuck served on the city council two different times and was instrumental during the 2008 flood. He worked with local residents to get the help they needed from FEMA and other organizations, making sure Cedar Rapids bounced back from that devastation. Chuck led the charge to help get streets named after famous Cedar Rapids athletes such as Kurt Warner and Zack Johnson. When Hawkeye downs was in trouble he rallied local business leaders to come together and save the longtime race track.

He proudly served on numerous boards and organizations like Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center and Sonshine Academy, a daycare center for low-income minority families. He did all of this to help his community become a destination for young people looking for a quality place to work and raise a family.

Chuck was a proud Iowa Hawkeyes fan and enjoyed outside activities such as playing golf, fishing and racquet ball while coaching youth wrestling at the Ellis YMCA. He also coached wrestling and football for the St. Jude middle school program. If it was a Friday, odds are you could find Chuck at Kingston stadium rooting for the J-Hawks football team or in the Jefferson gym watching the Jefferson wrestlers. In 2008, Chuck had the honor of being inducted into the Jefferson High School Hall of Fame. In the summer he was probably at Hawkeye Downs watching racing, attending Fastpitch softball games at Ellis park or playing Slowpitch with friends. Chuck was not only a coach but a cheerleader. Whether sports, the arts or someone trying to get their life in order, he was there to cheer you on. He did his best to be there for all of his children and grandchildren in their activities and was so proud to be their Papa.

Chuck Swore would speak to anyone who would listen about what a great place his hometown was, and even when opportunities to leave presented themselves, they never left. Chuck and Carol chose to stay, raising their family in the Cedar Rapids they worked to build. After all, his initials are CR Swore!

The family wishes you to show your love and support for Chuck through a generous gift to Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center or Stonebridge church. To give online to Bridgehaven, go to https://www.myegiving.com/App/Giving/eGiving-422630

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.