{Bubby-I promised myself that this would be a ‘bitchin’ obituary’  (an obitchinuary if you will) because I think you’d like that. So here goes-buckle up for laughter, inside jokes, lots of emotions, song lyrics, and good memories. Love, Sissy}

On June 6, 2025 at 1:10pm CT, Justin Benjamin Swogger, 34, entered “an explosion of God’s presence” as he took his last breath earthside. 

I like to think that as he saw the face of Jesus, maybe he also heard the sounds of an incredibly rock in’ angel band because that would be fitting. But only 2010’s worship and not 2000’s, right J? Because yuck. 

As your big sister, I had the heartbreaking honor of spending your last day and moments, minutes and seconds with you. After I witnessed the sacred space of your last breath, I held your hand and played “Everywhere” for us just one last time. I’ll keep jamming for the both of us now. 

What a gift it was to be your big sister. You annoyed the crap out of me, and you delighted me to no end. The ICU nurses even affectionately started referring to you as their little brother too as we shared many annoying and funny moments with them. 

I remember that before you were born, I wanted a baby brother so badly! Granted, before you I only had an imaginary friend (my reflection), so I suppose you were a major upgrade. I’m glad God chose you to give to me. I loved feeding you, singing to you, and holding you. As much as I would never have anticipated that life would play out this way, I’m grateful for the moments recently that I was once again able to feed you, sing to you, and hold you. I’ll never forget before the medications were shut off-you scooting all the way over to the hospital bed railing, smooshing yourself. We all thought you were just being a big weirdo, but then you turned your head and looked at me and whispered, “Is there enough room for you?” 

Thank you for trusting me and Andrew with such vulnerable moments. I really don’t know what we’re going to do with this Justin-shaped hole we’re all going to carry in our hearts. I do know that we feel consoled in the truth that your illnesses and addictions and pains and sorrows are no longer plaguing you-you are free little brother, and like Ozzy says-“I’ll see you on the other side.”   

{“You’re the best FUNcle, I love our song.”-A1

“I love you so much. Bye see ya never.” -A2

“You love me, I love you, pray for me back. Also lift this page up so he can see because he’s really high up.” -A3

A4 & R are blowing kisses to you right now. }

I’m remembering:

• Arguing. About everything (I’m still right though) 
• Your love of crab legs and making me gag
• Your little boy self impersonating Hulk Hogan in the bathroom mirror
• Torturing Lady-I don’t think dogs go to heaven but if it is a thing she’s totally running away from you right now 
• Wanting to run away from home to the end of the street when we were fed up with the parentals
• Endless karate tournaments
• Playing the rugrats game in your black hole of a room
• The super incredible last party with rubber glove chicken balloons, fat free fake ice cream, a walk in your ‘stroller’ and the playground. This meant the world to your daughter and nieces and you. 
• How you trained Lemmie so well. No one else could have done what you did and trained such a good dog. Thank you for the dog I didn’t want but considerably like regardless 
• The magic of our 1st Disney World trip! And the not so magic of our 2nd when as teenagers we complained about all of the walking. I’m sorry we weren’t able to have you be our Make-A-Wish kid like you requested and go after a 3rd. 
• You thrifted before thrifting was considered cool. I’ll never forget the 90’s women’s track suits
• Sneaking you into my university’s music rooms so you could play piano. Always loved hearing you perform and reading your lyrics
• You were my first best friend and safe place growing up. Thanks for being brave and doing the things I wasn’t brave enough to do
• That R has your eyes and how you told me to tell her how her Dada liked calling her ‘my little Rosebud’
• quoting Dumb & Dumber with you. “So you’re tellin’ me there’s a chance!”
• laughing. Laughing with you was one of my favorite things. 
• we share hair genes, so if I want to remember your luscious locks, all I gotta do is pat my own head-which sounds psychotic but grief is strange and thus let us commence the head patting. 

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