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Douglas Swope Obituary

Douglas Henry Swope February 5, 1960 - February 28, 2022 SAN DIEGO
Doug Swope left this world on Monday, February 28, 2022, at the age of 62, in the comfort of his own home in San Diego, surrounded by family. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor (Glioblastoma) in July 2021 and fiercely fought the disease with overflowing love and support from his nearest and dearest through the end.
Doug was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 5, 1960, to Mary Louise Woolrich Swope and William Milton Swope. At one year of age, his family relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he grew up and graduated from Punahou High School in 1978. Doug then attended The University of Oregon, where he was a proud Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Brother and received a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Med in 1982.
Post-undergrad school, Doug enjoyed living in San Francisco for three years, which became one of his favorite cities that he continued to visit throughout his life. During his time there, Doug worked as a paralegal, which inspired him to pursue a career as an attorney, like his father, Bill. He decided to continue his studies and attend law school at Southwestern University in Los Angeles, receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1988.
Doug worked for a few years in LA after law school and moved to San Diego in 1992. He became a Managing Attorney at Bollington, Griffith & Swope (21st Century Insurance Company), until 2007, when he started his own firm, Law Offices of Douglas H. Swope. As a Trial Attorney, he focused on personal injury and was an active member of the legal community, mentoring fellow attorneys, building partnerships with colleagues, and attending Trial Lawyer College, as well as other professional advancement network groups. He greatly enjoyed his career and being able to help clients, most of whom he formed great friendships with.
Doug enjoyed traveling, Tae Kwan Do (3rd Degree blackbelt), cycling, cooking, learning and speaking other languages (especially French), and going on shooting trips, although his greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. A true social butterfly, Doug loved connecting with people and was often out having fun with friends/family and making new acquaintances everywhere he went.
Doug was competitive by nature; An Eagle Scout who loved the great outdoors and anything adventurous. He was incredibly intelligent and was known for sharing little-known facts of just about any subject. Foremost, he was an eternal optimist and lived life to the fullest, always with a smile on his face.
Doug is survived by his loving wife (Teri Swope), daughter (Lauren Swope), stepson (Craig Ellison), stepdaughter and son-in-law (Kristi and Tyler Scott), parents (Mary Lou and Bill), sister and brother-in-law (Joy and Bryon Ward), nieces and nephew (Natalie, Jessica and Bennett Ward), He is greatly missed and will continue living in our hearts forever.
If you wish to offer a contribution in Doug's memory, donations can be made to Hawaii Audubon Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Mar. 9, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
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Jana Keenan

July 17, 2022

Dearest Terri,
I am so sad to learn of the passing of Doug. He was a wonderful person to work with and a genuinely nice guy. My heart goes out to you and all the family. Love Jana

Cheri Orange

June 2, 2022

Blessings to your family, and may his soul rest in peace. We only met Doug once, when he made the time to come by my husband's martial arts school during (the pandemic and) a case he helped out with. He focused on the connection, finding things in common, and looking at the positive. Bless his kind soul.

Deborah A Wolfe

March 20, 2022

Doug was a wonderful friend and colleague. Always an optimist, with a smile on his face. He lived with aloha spirit, and he will be missed.

Michael Griffith

March 16, 2022

From the time I first met Doug, before there was a BG&S, Doug impressed me with his willingness to fight for what he believed in. Doug was a lawyer's lawyer: an encyclopedic knowledge of both law and medicine. Doug was also the guy that all of our younger associates looked up to for wisdom. Long after they left Doug's firm, they continued to seek Doug out for advice and To me, Doug was the guy that laid out compelling arguments that we all really needed to celebrate Secretary's Day in Tijuana!

Doug was an extraordinary being. I'm thankful, as all of you, of our time together, albeit too quick

Suzanne Felando

March 14, 2022

The world has lost one of the rarest, kindest, empathic, brilliant men....I guess God felt he needed Doug to help all the souls, so an upgrade to the deluxe apartment in the sky was necessary. But all of us that had the truest honor to know Doug...well this is where there is nothing else to say but THIS SUCKS!!! for Teri and his children and step children, and parents, may you all find comfort in knowing he has not left you, he is in your hearts and on your shoulder and he definitely has his wings

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Debbie & Jimmy Ernst

Planted Trees

Debbie & Jimmy

March 13, 2022

What a wonderful soul Doug was. We will miss him so much, and our hearts and prayers go out to all the family.

Jann & Dave Garza

March 10, 2022

We were honored to have known Doug. Just being in his presence made you feel special. His love for family, friends, and life was seen in everything he did. He will truly be missed. Our deepest condolences to his wife, Teri, and all his family. RIP dear friend.

Crystal

March 9, 2022

Our hearts and lives will always have a void as you will be missed so much!

Jim and Leticia Curry

March 9, 2022

We remembered Doug to you on a Facebook message. He was an excellent trial lawyer and even better person. The two of you created something very special. Our condolences to your entire family. If we can help in any way, please let us know.

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