James Roland Swygert, Jr., 95, resident of 125 Canyon Drive, widower of Margaret Evans Swygert, passed away Saturday, August 4, 2018, at his home. Born in Columbia, October 6, 1922, he was the son of the late James Roland, Sr. and Dorothy Elizabeth Darby Swygert. He spent his growing up years in Greenville and Newberry where he had the prestigious title of “Paper Boy” delivering the Greenville News and the Columbia Record to homes with his bike as well as on the street corners. In… Read More » 1940, he went to four weeks of training at the Citizens Military Training Corps for commission into the Armed Forces, and in 1943, he was drafted into the Army to serve in World War II. On his return home after serving with the European Theater of Operations, James moved Margaret and their daughter Judy to Greenwood where he went to work with Palmetto Motors Dodge and Plymouth Dealership later known as Ouzts Motors as Parts Manager. After the move to Greenwood, another daughter, Nita, was added to the family. Later he went to work with the Commissioners of Public Works as a meter repairman. In 1985, he retired from the CPW as Superintendent of Water and Sewer Operations. It was during that time that he furthered his education at Piedmont Tech earning a degree in Drafting and Design Technology in 1970. Having a great love for his country, from 1947 until 1962, he continued his military service with the 51st Infantry, 3rd Battalion of the National Guard in Greenwood and was a part of the unit called into active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis of the Cold War and the Vietnam War. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where he served as Sunday School teacher and secretary of the Men’s Brotherhood as well as serving on the Church Council. James was a Life Member of the Greenwood Masonic Lodge #91, the American Legion, the VFW and Life Member of the AWWA. Having grown up with involvement in the Boy Scouts in Newberry, he was instrumental in the establishment of Boy Scout Troop 202 of Immanuel Lutheran Church and was the first scoutmaster of the troop continuing that until his National Guard Unit was called back into active duty. In addition to his wife of 61 years and his parents, he was predeceased by three great-grandchildren, a son-in-law, Dr. James Kelley, and a special family friend, Bobby J. Ward. Survivors include two daughters, Judy Kelley and Nita Ward, both of Greenwood; five grandsons, James (Julie) Kelley, Jr. of Dawsonville, GA, Nathanael (Rachel) Kelley of Social Circle, GA, Daniel (Kristin) Kelley of McDonough, GA, Brian (Ann) Ward of Chappells, SC, J. Michael (Amy) Ward of Donalds, SC; ten great-grandchildren, four great great-grandchildren, and a step great grandson. Services will be conducted 2:00 pm Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at Immanuel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Rusty Kehl and Rev. Rick Hendricks officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be in Rosemont Cemetery on College Street in Newberry at 4:00 Wednesday. Pallbearers will be his five grandsons and three great grandsons. Honorary escort will be members of Boy Scout Troop 202, along with Fremon and Linda Davis and Maxie and Reba Jester. A special appreciation goes to Dr. O.M. Cobb for his care over the years and to Terry Cottle, his Hospice Care of South Carolina nurse as well as nurses, Steve and Stephen and Jane Hunter, his Social Worker with Hospice. The family is at the home on Canyon Drive and will receive friends in the church social hall from 12:00 to 2:00 Wednesday afternoon before the service. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 501 East Creswell Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646, or to Hospice Care of South Carolina, 326 Montague Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29649.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Roland Swygert 2018.
Death notice for the town of: Greenwood, state: South Carolina