James "Thomas" Swords, Jr., 45, passed away on Saturday, July 23 with his wife by his side. Thomas, the son of Candy and Robert Calda, was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas on August 8, 1976. He moved to Texas as an infant and, along with his sister Wendy and brothers David and Daniel, remained in Texas throughout high school. Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after graduation and served three years on active duty.  At this time, he relocated to Norfolk, Virginia. Thomas simultaneously completed his Bachelors of Arts in English Literature and Masters of Arts in Language Arts degrees from Christopher Newport University in 2002. For the next twenty years, Thomas was a beloved English teacher in Newport News Public Schools where he ran the Young Men of Distinction Program in the respective schools in which he worked. He was also a basketball coach and mentor to countless young men who will undoubtably carry his memory in their hearts. He will be remembered most for the lasting relationships he built with so many of his students and players, his willingness to do anything to help, the long lectures many of them received, and his sense of humor.

Thomas, or Tommy as Rachel called him, married Rachel Ann Sutphin on September 6, 1997, and they made their home in Hampton, Virginia. One of Thomas's greatest joys in life was being a father. His oldest child, and only son, Braedon, was born on June 9, 2004. Savanna, his first daughter, was born on August 31, 2006. He was surprised in 2008 to learn that Rachel was pregnant with twins. Kylie and Kelsie were born on October 10, 2008. A true sport's fan, he would often explain the birth of the twins by saying that "we went from playing man to man to zone!" Thomas and Rachel raised their children to follow Christ, and Thomas helped lead Braedon's student group. Every summer, he went to a five-day church camp with the group. One of Thomas's proudest moments occurred when each of his children accepted Christ as their personal Lord and savior and were baptized. Thomas's legacy of faith, work-ethic, and compassion will live on in his beautiful children.

Thomas loved big. He loved God first and then his family. If he loved you, you were part of his family, and he treated you as such. He lived by his motto, "cherish every day."

Thomas is survived by his wife Rachel; children Braedon Thomas, Savanna Raye, Kylie Paige, and Kelsie Grace; father Robert Calda; sister Wendy Quick; brothers David and Daniel.

Thomas was proceeded in death by his mother, Beatrice "Candy" Calda.

A celebration of Thomas's (Tommy's) life will be held at 3:00 pm, on August 4 at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, located at 245 South Armistead Avenue in Hampton (757-723-3191). The family is requesting that guests wear casual attire, as Tommy would not want us to dress up for a celebration. The event will also be streamed on Facebook and may be watched by clicking HERE. Following the service, family and friends are invited to the Swords family home at 1710 Piazza Place, Hampton, VA 23666.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Hampton Salvation Army located at 1033 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666. You can also donate on their website at https://salvationarmypotomac.org/ . Select USS-PMC-Hampton Roads Area Command for what you want your donation to support. For donations made online, in person, or through mail, please specify that the gift is to be used for youth programs in Hampton, VA in honor of Thomas Swords.