Death and Legacy
Swainson died of a heart attack in Manchester, Michigan and is interred there at Oak Hill Cemetery. His wife Alice died September 5, 2004 in Manchester at the age of 77. During his life he was a member of American Legion, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks, Lions International, Delta Theta Phi, and Boy Scouts of America While in the Boy Scouts, Swainson was an active leader of the local Order of the Arrow lodge where he served as Secretary.
The Michigan Historical Commission established the Governor John B. Swainson Award in 1996 to honor him for his love of history and as one of the few public officials to have served in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of state government. The commission presents the award to state, county or municipal employees who have contributed to the preservation of Michigan history even though such activities are not part of their primary job responsibility. Swainson's last public office was president of the Michigan Historical Commission as an appointee of Governor James Blanchard.
His papers are 75.1 linear feet collected at the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan. Particularly represented are documents regarding research, public policy and programs concerning Poliomyelitis and the Salk vaccine.
Justice John Swainson was honored by an official portrait painted by Dorthea R. Stockbridge. The Michigan Supreme Court's Special Session of the dedication is here. It was published in Volume 419 of the Michigan Reports. The portrait hangs hangs on the fourth floor of the Michigan Hall of Justice.
Hanging in the Michigan State Capitol on the second floor 'Hall of Governors' is "his gubernatorial portrait is notable for appearing unfinished." It is said to be one of the most unusual portraits, being a portent that Swainson's political career was not yet finished. So much so that the Republican legislature authorized the painting of a more traditional replacement, which has not yet been accomplished.
At the dedication of his judicial portrait, Justice Swainson said he left the final judgement of his public career to history.
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