James Swisher

Obituary of James K. Swisher

DR. JAMES "JIM" K. SWISHER Dr. James "Jim" Kenneth Swisher, 69, of Lynchburg went to be with the Lord Thursday, January 1, 2009 at Drinkard Health Center. Born in Lynchburg on August 12, 1939 he was a son of the late Walter Kenneth Swisher and Rosa Callahan Swisher and was the husband of Shelby "Penny" S. Swisher. Dr. Swisher was a graduate of Madison Heights High School and received his under graduate degree from Lynchburg College and earned his masters and doctorate degrees from The University of Virginia. Go Hoo's! Dr. Swisher was retired from the Lynchburg City School System and was a member of Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church. Jim was the Assistant Principal of Robert E. Lee Jr. High School from 1966-1968, and Principal in 1969 and was associate Principal at Dunbar from 1970-1971. He was Principal of Sandusky Jr. High School from 1971-1975 and also the Principal of Heritage High School from 1976 to 1986. He was a lifetime member of the retired Teachers Association. He taught and coached basketball at both Holy Cross and William Campbell High Schools. He was a member of The Sons of the American Revolution, The Sons of the Confederate Veterans, The Civil War Roundtable of Lynchburg and was a coordinator for Meals on Wheels for Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church. Dr. Swisher's love for American History led to his authoring three books. "Warrior in Grey", "Prince of Edisto" and " The Revolutionary War in the Back Country". Jim enjoyed playing golf, bicycle riding and spending time on Edisto Island. He was a past member of the Lynchburg Host Lions Club. Jim's love of history and the outdoors could not compare to the love he had for his wife, Shelby "Penny" S. Swisher, his daughter, Karen Swisher Castanes and husband, Jim of Lynchburg, his son Kenneth Todd Swisher and wife, Terri of Lynchburg and four grandchildren; Nicholas J. Castanes, Christopher J. Castanes, Sara N. Castanes and T. Hayden Swisher all of Lynchburg. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Gail C. Swisher and his beloved and furry friend, Milo. A Celebration of Jim's Life and Faith will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, January 5, 2009 in Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Corey Ingold officiating. A reception for family and friends will be held at the church following the service. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 PM Sunday, January 4, 2009 at Diuguid Wiggington Chapel. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1388, Lynchburg, Va. 24505, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3300 E. Sunrise Dr., Tucson, AZ 85718 or The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, 386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10016.
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