SWATZELL, Leon J.

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Thursday, July 31, 2003 Leon J. Swatzell, of Phoenix passed away on July 18, 2003. Leon was born on December 17, 1933 in Bernie Missouri, the eldest son of Paul R. and Lois (Riddle) Swatzell. He grew up in Flint, MI and attended The First Presbyterian Church. After graduating from Flint Central High School in 1951, Leon went on to earn a BA from Michigan State University in 1956, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. In January 2003, Xavier Business College awarded Leon a Doctorate of Arts. After serving his country as a US Naval officer, Leon worked for the National Steel Corporation and The American Medical Association. In 1974, he founded the Mid -south Medical Foundation in Memphis, TN and served as its CEO until his retirement to Phoenix in 1991. A milestone in Leon's career was an invitation to The White House where he met President George W. Bush as a member of a select committee that discussed senior's need for Medicare prescriptions. Survivors include his son Scott R. Swatzell and wife Loretta, granddaughter Anna-Claire and grandson Drew of Vicksburg, MS; brother JoeI R. Swatzell and wife Sharon of Fort Myers, FL; nephew Steve Swatzell and wife Victoria of Paradise Valley, AZ; niece Dana Swatzell Moeller and husband Robert of Powell, OH; nephew Paul R. Swatzell II and wife Anne of Westerville, OH. Survivors also include first cousins Sandra Anderson-Finn of Payson, AZ whom Leon grew up with and considered a sister, and Louie Anderson of Holland, MI. Leon also leaves former wife Janet Swatzell of Germantown, TN, who he was in the process of reuniting with prior to his illness. A celebration of Leon's life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flowers St, Phoenix., AZ 85014 or to the American Cancer Society.