Thomas Allan Swalwell, 72, of Ephrata, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2017, at UPMC Pinnacle Lititz.

He was born in McKeesport to the late Robert and Regina (Luty) Swalwell and was the husband of Nata V. (Mellinger) Rudy.

Tom was the Executive Director for Ephrata Area Social Services. He graduated from McKeesport High School and received his bachelor’s degree from California State University Long Beach and his master’s degree from University of Pittsburgh.Tom enjoyed watching Pittsburgh sports teams, especially the Steelers and PITT Panthers. His other interests included fishing, going to shows from Ephrata Performing Arts Center to Broadway, reading and crosswords, listening to music at summer concerts in the parks plus visiting his family in western Pennsylvania. He and Nata enjoyed their vacations to the Jersey Shore in Ocean City and Ocean Grove where they would comb the beaches looking for sea glass. He was an avid bowler and was considered a fixture at the Dutch Bowl for the last 27 years, coaching junior league on Saturday mornings. Tom devoted his life to human services, helping those with special needs, volunteering his time to youth sports programs, working at the veteran’s hospital and always being there for “neighbors in need.”

In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by a son, Dustin Swalwell of Annapolis, MD; step-sons, Micah Rudy (Bryce Albright) of Ephrata and Aaron Grindle of Annapolis, MD; a step-daughter, Gretchen Grindle (Geoff) Camphire of Burke, VA; 2 nephews, Jason and Nathan (Caitlyn) and 3 nieces, Erin (Jamie), Megan (Howard) and Stacey. He was the proud uncle of a great-nephew, Noah; 4 great-nieces, Emma, Allysen, Brenna and Scarlett. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Pamela DeMarchi and Kathleen (Alexander) Vamosi, both of Port Vue; 2 brother-in-laws, James A. Latine of Forward Twp., Nathan Mellinger of Denver; a sister-in-law, Sheila Mellinger of Ephrata and a mother-in-law, Marian K. Mellinger of Ephrata,

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Swalwell and a sister, Debra M. (Swalwell) Latine.

As an organ donor, Tom’s final act of kindness was to provide sight for 2 recipients through SightLife.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017, from 10 to 11 AM, at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E. Main Street, Ephrata, followed by funeral services at 11 AM, with Reverend Henry E. Herbener, Chaplain Glenn Beard and Pastor Larry Hummer officiating. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions in Tom’s memory may be made to the Thomas A. Swalwell Memorial Fund, c/o Ephrata Area Social Services, 227 North State Street, Ephrata, PA, 17522.

Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.