On November 15, 2019, Roy James Swickard, Sr. stepped into heaven after a brief illness.

He was born March 31, 1941 in Columbus, Ohio to Roy James Swickard Senior and Mary Ruth McBee. He had three sisters Donna Tall and Norma Ankrom of Columbus, Ohio and Janet Engle of Medford, Oregon whom he adored and was spoiled by.

At the age of three, he lost his father in WWII and at the age of nine, he lost his mother to kidney cancer. Due to difficult times, he was placed in an orphanage in Xenia, Ohio. It was for children of soldiers and sailors where he lived until he was 13 years old. His Aunt Laura “Tedea” and Uncle Jim took him in and he attended Linden McKinley High School. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a “Fire Protection Specialist” where he served for four years. In August of 1960 he met his wife to be, Virginia Marie Fudge at the Kansas State Fair. They married June 18, 1961 and shared the next 58 years of life together as best friends.

They had four children; Roy, Jr. (wife Cindy), Troy, Shelly Redford and Brent (wife Rachel), in which he was very proud. In the early 1970’s and over the course of a year, they took in eleven newborn foster babies until adoption.

He was blessed with eleven grandchildren; Charlotte Swickard (Wagner, husband Charles), Courtney Redford, Brandon, Caleb (wife Kelley), Kristin Swickard (Vigliotta, husband Richard), Jordan Redford, Joshua, Daniel, Taylor, Raegan, Madison and three great grandchildren, Ava Redford, Samuel Wagner and Leo Vigliotta. He was affectionately known to them as “Popo”.

He spent most of his career as an electrician and retired from the El Rio School District in 2003. He proudly served as CSEA President for the school district and was awarded as CSEA Employee of the Year for the Southern California Region. He had an incredible work ethic and would take on other work to make sure that his family was provided for. They moved from California to Ozark, Missouri where they have spent the last 16 years in retirement.

He loved to travel and visit the national parks. His favorite place to visit was Yosemite National Park where he spent many summers with his family. At the age of 62, he hiked 18.2 miles to the top of Half-Dome. He would always comment, “The mountain’s are calling, and I must go”!

There were three things in life that were his priority: His faith, where he was a member of Evangel Temple AG in Springfield, Missouri, his family and his friends.

He was a true patriot that loved his country. He honored those that served and those that went before him and paid the ultimate sacrifice. He was also “The” Ohio State Buckeyes biggest fan.

He had an infectious laugh and loved a good practical joke, he may have even been responsible for a few. He had a big heart and would feed or lend a hand to anyone in need. He will be missed and is loved by all that knew or met him.

“End of Story”…

Services for Roy will be at 12:00 pm Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East with interment following in Crestview Memorial Gardens in Bolivar. Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm prior to the service.