Dr. Eugene James Swella Jr. Died Nov. 30, 2021

A sign in Dr. Gene Swella's Chiropractic office reads, "Go the extra mile, it's never crowded." Gene lived a life of going the extra mile for his family and community and accumulating the travel miles (in their motorhome with Dianne) looking for the perfect place to be. On November 30, 2021, he arrived in paradise — the perfect place with his Savior and his three children he longed to see again.

Dr. Eugene James Swella Jr. was born and raised in Decorah, Iowa; he graduated from Decorah High School where he played trombone and golf.

He graduated from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, with a major in biology; he lettered on the men's varsity golf team all four years of his college career and was All-Conference Champion in 1977 and 1978.

In 1982 Dr. Swella earned his doctorate of chiropractic, Cum Laude, from Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa. There he discovered his two best loves — his love and passion for helping and healing and the love of his life, Dr. Dianne Swella.

Dianne and Gene have been married for over 37 years. Upon graduation Gene practiced chiropractic with his father, Dr. Eugene Swella, Sr, in Decorah; in 1987, Drs. Gene and Dianne opened their practice in Yucca Valley, California. In Yucca Valley they made a home, built a life, raised a family, and cared for the community around them.

Gene is one of the blessed few who knew exactly why he was put on this earth — to help and heal his fellow man through chiropractic care.

Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the LORD and not merely for people."

He lived the calling of Colossians through loving, pouring into, and providing for his family, caring for his patients, humbly beating many others on the golf course because of his insatiable practicing and meticulous attention to his short game, enjoying and reveling in God's creation as an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, caring for his community, and serving the global body of Christ through the local church of First Christian Church of Yucca Valley. Gene was passionate about sharing the saving power and grace of Jesus with all he encountered.

Gene loves his family whole heartedly. He is a loving and providing husband, amazing father, a kind and wise father-in-law, a beloved son-in-law, a great brother-in-law, a fun uncle, a caring brother, a loyal friend, an exceptional golfer and the best doctor of chiropractic ever.

Dr. Swella is survived by his beloved wife, Dr. Dianne Swella; his adoring daughters and sons-in-law Meghan and Nick Norton and Mariya and Pedro Alcazar; father and mother-in-law Frank and Dorothy Fratto; brother-in-law Dr. Frank Fratto, his wife, Cindy, and daughters Stephanie (Isaac) and their children Lia and Zara, and Michelle (Anthony); sister-in-law Dr. Suzanne Fratto, her husband, Dr. Richard Hopstock, and daughters Elizabeth and Katherine; sister-in-law Dr. Rozanne Fratto, her husband, Robert Cheung, and children Christopher, Abigail and Isabel; sister Jackie Kinsinger and her husband, Dave; sister Dr. Rebecca Smedsrud, her husband, Robert, and children Rachael (Shane) McMahon and their children Caitlyn and Ryan, and Robert and Eric.

Dr. Swella was preceded in eternity by his sweet, heavenly children Matthew James, Marissa Joy and Myles Joseph; his parents, Eugene and Adeline Swella; and brother Jeffrey Swella.

The celebration of life for Dr. Gene Swella will be at 1 p.m. PST on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Living Hope Church, 6804 Mohawk Trail, Yucca Valley, CA 92284.

In lieu of flowers, we celebrate Gene's life by celebrating and caring for the lives of the most precious to God — children. Please make a donation in Gene's honor to the High Desert Pregnancy Clinic at hdpc.me/volunteer-donate-2/. In continuance of Gene's legacy to further God's Kingdom donations can also be made to First Christian Church of Yucca Valley, 56284 Buena Vista, Yucca Valley, CA 92284.

As seen in the Hi-Desert Star https://hidesertstar.com/news/181587/dr-eugene-james-swella-jr