James Swedberg

James Swedberg, 54, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, died Monday, June 29, 2020 at his home, due to congestive heart failure.

On Saturday, July 11, 2020 a memorial service will be streamed from www.ubcShawnee.org at 4:30 p.m.

He was born October 23, 1965 to Lawrence and Nancy (Lynch) Swedberg in Oakland, CA. James was raised in California, and graduated from Irvington High School in Fremont, CA, in 1983 before following his father’s job with GM to Shawnee, OK. James went on to graduate with his bachelor’s from University of Oklahoma and Masters of Education from University of Central Oklahoma in 1997. James had a passion for roller skating, bowling, and theater. He loved the showman part of skating the most, participating in Golden State in California and competing at the National level twice. He was involved in theater as both an actor in various settings and as a teacher. Over his teaching career, he taught in various settings including two years at Moscow Economic School in Moscow, Russia, various adult education settings, both for native English speakers and non-native speakers, along with fourteen years in public education, ending his career with five great years at Roosevelt Middle School, where he had finally found his place teaching not only literature but life to his students. He was a member of University Baptist Church, Shawnee, OK where he regularly volunteered and sang in the choir.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Lawrence and Nancy Swedberg.

He is survived by his wife Jennifer (Neugebauer) Swedberg, three sons Micah Swedberg (24), Malachi Swedberg (20), and Matthew Swedberg (16), the mother of his children Renita (Miller) Swedberg, brother David Swedberg of Shawnee, and nephews Keith Swedberg, Travis Swedberg and wife Lindee, and Andrew Swedberg, and niece Breanne (Swedberg) and husband Jonathan Matheny.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the school where James taught. Donations may be sent to Roosevelt Middle School, 3233 SW 44th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73119. Please make checks out to Roosevelt Middle School and write James Swedberg Memorial in the memo.