VERNON O. SWYGERT
Vernon O. Swygert, 92, husband of 62 years to the late Anita H. Swygert, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at McLeod Hospice House in Florence.
Born April 25, 1928, in West Columbia, he was a son of the late Adam Frank Swygert and Daisy Lilly Oxner Swygert. He was a graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School, where he excelled in athletics and was inducted into the Brookland-Cayce High School Hall of Fame. He attended and played football at Newberry College, where he received a bachelor's degree and had the privilege to play in the Shrine Bowl. He received a master's degree from the University of South Carolina. He played semi-pro baseball in Sumter and coached numerous basketball and softball teams. He retired from Sumter School District 2, where he was a principal at several schools, including Furman High School, from 1957-1975. He coached the Furman High School football team to their only state championship. He also retired from the U.S. Army National Guard as a captain after 30 years of service. He was a very active member of Pinewood United Methodist Church, where he served as superintendent of education for many years. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He participated in the Senior Olympics and was a big Atlanta Braves and USC Gamecock fan. He was a Mason, a Shriner and member of the American Legion. He loved to travel with his "Go-Go Girl," Anita.
Survivors include four children, Gordon Swygert (Katie), Karen Swygert and Hans Swygert (Dinah), all of Sumter, and Van Swygert (Fumiyo) of Tokyo, Japan; six grandchildren, Tiffany Swygert (Melissa), Shannon Woudwyk (Marvin), Noah Swygert (Alia), Makayla Swygert, Micah Swygert (Paige) and Hannah Swygert; two great-grandchildren, Luke Woudwyk and Lily Woudwyk; a special nephew, Franklin Swygert (Sherry); along with a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Franklin Swygert, and a sister, Yvonne Hall.
A private family service will be held with a public memorial service to be held at a later date.
Viewing for family and friends will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Vaughn Hall, Noah Swygert, Micah Swygert, Marvin Woudwyk, Thomas Geddings and Matt Driggers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Andrew Reynolds, Henry "Sonny" Geddings Jr. and Glenn Geddings.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Andrew Reynolds for all of his loving care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pinewood United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 203, Pinewood SC 29125.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.