Kingman icon Martin Swanty passes

KINGMAN – Kingman and greater Mohave County have lost a treasured community leader. His son Cody said Martin Swanty passed peacefully in his sleep overnight. He was 90 years old.

Swanty owned automobile dealerships in Kingman and Bullhead City.

Business, community service, philanthropy and more. You name it, and Martin was successful at it.

Cody and his Martin’s good friend Krystal Burge said Swanty was a consummate family man.

“Martin was just a loving, caring soul and without question Martin loved his family and loved his grand children and was really dedicated to them,” Burge said. You could just see the smile light up his face when he got to talk about them.”

Swanty friend Dave French said Martin loved Kingman and proved it with a dedication to public service.

“Martin was incredibly involved in the community. I mean incredibly involved. He was in a leadership position with the Airport Authority for years and years and years,” French said. “He was always active with the chamber, a very active Rotarian and he left his mark throughout the community.”

Burge said Swanty wanted everyone to enjoy success particularly young people.

“He was always involved with kids, helping them with projects at parks and projects at school,” she said. “Martin always had that great laugh and was always there to be part of the solution. He will be missed by the community. He will be missed by me.”

Cody said his dad had a huge heart and was willing to forgive everyone. Despite his wealth and prominence, French said Martin viewed and treated everyone the same.

“He didn’thave a class. Everybody was in Martin’s class,” French said. “He didn’t care if you were poor or rich or whatever. Everybody was really close with Martin.”

Service arrangements are pending.

Dave Hawkins