It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Stephen T. Swaim on April 27, 2017. Stephen was born on November 27, 1971 to Margaret and Jerry Swaim.Stephen was known as "Swaim" to all his friends. He went to Loma Heights Elementary, Sierra Middle School, and graduated from Mayfield High School in 1990. After graduation, Stephen enlisted and proudly served as a US Army paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He returned and graduated from NMSU with a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Economics. In 2005, Stephen graduated from William H. Bowen School of Law in Little Rock, Arkansas. After law school, Stephen worked proudly as a Public Defender, giving a voice to those who could not stand up for themselves. He was a practicing attorney at the Pickett Law Firm at the time of his death. Those left to mourn are his wife, Lisette C. Bedell Swaim of Las Cruces, his parents Margaret and Jerry Swaim, and his sister Karen Swaim Linville. Stephen is also survived by his many friends ("brothas and sistas"), nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, in-laws, outlaws, and his Brothers at Arms. STRIKE HOLD! Stephen is further survived by his 3 dogs, whom he loved tremendously, Tinkerbelle, Rocky, and Charlie Brown. Stephen was preceded in death by his cat Max, in 2007, and his other cat Buddy, in 2010; his unborn Angel Baby Swaim, in 2013; and his best friend, his chocolate lab, Thunder Brown, in 2014. For those who knew Swaim, his smile and laugh are what he will be remembered by most. Nobody laughed at his corny jokes louder than he did himself. He had a huge, loyal heart and cared immensely for others. There is absolutely no one who didn't love Swaim! Stephen conquered his goals and fears; he jumped out of airplanes even though he was afraid of heights. He went to Law School even though he thought he would be older than the other students, etc. His love for his wife, Lisette, transcends death as he loved her fiercely and loyally.A Celebration of Life will take place at the New Mexico State University Golf Course on Sunday, May 21, at 1:00pm.In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary of Las Cruces or La Clinica de Familia of Las Cruces.