James Robert "Jim" Swafford

went home to be with the Lord on June 20, 2016. It was the night of Father's Day after a brave battle with ALS. He was born on June 14, 1936 to Clifton and Evalyn (Poindexter) Swafford in Charlotte, NC. He leaves behind his wife, Jan, and three sons - John, David (Margie), and Timothy. He had 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. His daughter, Sharon, passed in 1977 and they have now been reunited. He had two sisters, Patsy Cain (Cliff) of Sarasota FL and Barbara Myers (Gene) of Ellenton, FL, and many nieces and nephews. He attended school in Charlotte, NC graduating from Harding High School. He attended Gardner- Webb College and graduated with a BS from Wake Forest Seminary, now a University in Winston-Salem, NC. He was ordained as a Baptist Minister at Enderly Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, in 1962 and then moved to the Bradenton, FL . He was the Mission Pastor at the Elwood Park Baptist Church for 4 years. He also was an insurance agent for Farm Bureau, Deputy Insurance Commissioner for Mack Britt, and an insurance adjuster before being trained as a stock broker by Merrill Lynch. He opened his own stock brokerage firm, Swafford Investment Services on Main Street in Bradenton as owner/manager until retirement. He dearly loved all of his family. He always had a helping hand for anyone in need. He and his wife had several unofficially adopted kids who grew up with their children as siblings and considered his home theirs for life. He was a good man, always quick with a joke and a location for the next place to eat. He had many horses and raced a couple of them. He and his wife continued to love the Lord and go to Church as long as he was physically able. He only missed one week, Father's Day. For many years they had one or two cars full of people to ride with them to church. If you listen to Tim McGraw's new hit, "Humble and kind", you will know Jim. It is as if he wrote it. We will have a pot luck celebration of his life on July 16, 2016 at 1:00pm at our home. You are welcome to come. Please RSVP to Jan 941-747-7824 if you can come. Jim was an unforgettable human being and will be sorely missed by his family and his many friends. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com