Thomas Clyde McSwain

McSWAIN, Thomas Clyde, 95, of Staunton, died Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Augusta Health, Fishersville. A well known educator throughout Virginia, he was Superintendent of Staunton Schools for 17 years from 1961 until his retirement in 1978. Born January 1, 1915, in Cleveland County, N.C., he was the son of the late Elam and Annie (Bell) McSwain. He held a bachelor's degree in business administration from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C., which he attended on a full athletic scholarship playing football, baseball and basketball. He joined the Staunton School System in 1946 as a physical education teacher at the city's five schools and as coach of three sports and classroom teacher (math and history) at R.E. Lee High School. He left the classroom and coaching after the 1951-52 season to go into administration, and opened and was principal at three new schools: Bessie Weller Elementary School for four years, Westside Elementary for two years and Northside Elementary for one year. He was appointed to the position of assistant superintendent in 1958 and he was named superintendent in 1961. During his tenure as Superintendent he led in the integration of the school system, a major building program of new schools and closure of most of the former segregated black schools. In 1964 he also served as the President of the Virginia Education Association. Citing his contribution to education, not only in Staunton but throughout the state the School Board renamed Northside Elementary School in his honor upon his retirement in 1978. He is survived by his second wife, Theresa (Peiffer) McSwain of Staunton; a son, Colonel (Ret) Thomas C. McSwain Jr. and wife, Jane Crane, of Shepherdstown, W.Va.; daughter, Susan McSwain Lee of Chesapeake, Va. and her fianc‚, James Ingram of Lesage, W.Va.; stepson, Donald Peiffer and wife, Barbara, of Rural Hall, N.C.; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Isabel Anderson McSwain. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 2 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church, 100 East Frederick Street, Staunton, Va. 24401, with Rev. Dr. Richard S. Dietrich officiating. Interment will follow in Thornrose Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, April 26, 2010 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, P.O. Box 815, Staunton, Va. 24402. Donations will put towards a scholarship to be established in memory of Mr. McSwain.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.