David S. Swayze's Obituary
DAVID S. SWAYZE
A Celebration of Life for David S. Swayze, 81, a champion of Delaware’s legal, political, government and public service communities, will be held Friday May 8, 2026, at the Wilmington Country Club, 4825 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE, 19807, where friends are invited to gather at 2 pm to honor David’s remarkable life.
David Stewart Swayze was born Nov. 7, 1944, in Wilmington, DE, to William W. Swayze III and Barbara Stewart Swayze.
He died January 23, 2026, and is survived by his wife, Carolyn DePew-Swayze; daughter Lisa Swayze-Thomas (Melvin); son Scott Swayze; brother Bruce Swayze (Mary); sister Patricia Ball (Jim); along with many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding him in death were his parents and nephew, Eric Swayze.
A Vietnam-era veteran (1969-72) of the US Army’s JAG Corps, Dave was also a member of Delaware’s preeminent bar for 56 years. After years of courting Michael Parkowski and his Dover based firm, Dave flipped and went with them, creating the statewide law firm Parkowski, Guerke & Swayze, where he was a partner from 2003 until his death.
Perhaps most notably, as a lifelong Democrat, he served Republican Gov. Pierre S. du Pont IV as both his Legal Counsel (1977-79) and his Chief of Staff (1979-81) during a history-making gubernatorial tenure that included the transformative Financial Center Development Act (FCDA) that brought America’s credit card banking industry to Delaware, as well as navigating the controversial era of Court-ordered school desegregation.
David had come to public service as “a Civil Rights Democrat,” guided by his passions for civil rights, criminal justice reform, and education.
In an era when Delaware prospered as “a purple state,” with leadership shared between Democrats and Republicans, David excelled in government relations and served as a lobbyist for over 35 years. He was known for his forthrightness and ability to explain the intricacies of legislation to a variety of clients, while working with both Delaware’s General Assembly, Executive Branch, elected and appointed leaders and officials.
Early in his career, he played critical roles at an inflection point in the history of the City of Wilmington, serving as chair of the City’s Wilmington Housing Authority (1973-74) and as City Solicitor (1974-77). He wrote the charter and served in various leadership roles for Downtown Visions, which has enjoyed a half century record of success in rebuilding and restoring the vibrancy of Downtown Wilmington, DE. Dave also served as an adjunct professor at Wilmington University, teaching Public Policy and Constitutional Law.
In 2008-09, he co-chaired Delaware’s Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, serving with his friend Justice Henry du Pont Ridgely. David was the President in 2009, continuing his father’s legacy, who preceded him as president in 1977.
Governor John Carney awarded David the prestigious Order of the First State on Aug. 18, 2022, the highest honor a Governor can bestow, which recognized efforts, knowledge, integrity, prudence and ability in service to the State of Delaware.
Many state and national organizations benefitted from his expertise, including DEFAC, WEFAC, the Delaware State Bar, and the American Red Cross, where he served as president. Dave was quick to advise and share his knowledge by mentoring colleagues throughout his career.
Perhaps an omen to a career of public service, David was born Nov. 7, 1944, the date of the historic election of Franklin D. Roosevelt to an unprecedented 4th term as President. That he would go on to touch, even help shape, Delaware’s history as well as to serve his nation would surprise no one who knew him.
A 1962 Mt. Pleasant HS graduate, and Hall of Fame inductee, David graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University in 1966. He received his LLB degree in 1969 from the Carey Law School at the University of Pennsylvania, the same year he joined Delaware’s bar, and in 1975 received his JD degree from Penn.
David was very proud of his children – Lisa following in his footsteps working for the State of Delaware in Labor Law, championing workers’ rights in Anti-Discrimination and Construction Management cases, and Scott, a superb musician and true artisan, whose hand-crafted copper lighting hangs in George Lucas’ Sky Walker Ranch.
David enjoyed traveling with his young family (including first wife Sally), skiing and adventuring in the mountains of Vermont and Colorado. He loved running, canoeing, and taking weekend camping trips with his kids. David and Carolyn enjoyed 25 years of trips with their travel group, attending live concerts, hosting “summer suppers”, and entertaining friends and family at their homes in Dagsboro, DE and in Bradenton, FL.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to your favorite charity.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
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