Carey Gordon Swaim, Jr.

Gordon Swaim lived every minute of his 88 years to the fullest! He loved shocking people with his questions, making them laugh, think, and often reflect. He referred to himself as a spoon: stir things up, sit back and watch while they settled. Most all his family, friends, and sometimes strangers have fallen victim to a challenging question or two. His grandchildren grew up loving Papa G’s “quizzes” after a meal at the table.

  Born August 24, 1935, he died on June 2, 2024. Gordon was born and raised in Lexington, North Carolina. He is predeceased by his parents, Carey Gordon Swaim and Anna Young Swaim; two sisters, Winona Kimrey and Caroline Smithman, and his beloved son, Carey Gordon Swaim, III. 

    He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Dianne Swaim; his brother, William Caskey Swaim; daughter Michelle Flores and her husband, Carlos Flores; step-daughter, Laura Warren Miller and her husband, Paul Miller; and step-son, David Warren. He left behind eight grandchildren: Lexie Swaim, Melissa Swaim, Michelle Swaim, Kari Amber Gallant, Ryan Flores, Tyler Flores and wife Shelby; Kylee Flores, Jonathan Miller and wife Bianca; and Meagan Miller. He left three great-grandchildren, Michael, Kinzlee, and Damon; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

 He graduated with an AB in Business Administration from Davidson College, splitting his four-year degree by volunteering for the draft between his sophomore and junior years.  His military time was served as a military police officer.

    An avid sports fan all his life, he played football, basketball and baseball in high school and baseball in college. And, he was a quarterback on the flag football team to the Fifth Army Championship. He kept up with major sports until his 40’s when he took up bowling, tennis and golf. He was still stabbing away at the little ball until just before his death.

    Gordon’s avocation was entertainment. He acted and directed plays in six states, wrote eight unsold screenplays and four one-act plays. And, he wrote, directed and acted in five short films. If one looked hard, he could be seen in several movies.

    He spent most of his vocation in supplemental insurance industry where he at one time was a salesman, manager, state director, taught sales and management schools and was vice-president of two insurance companies. He was also the MC and skit director of their year-end meetings. 

    A deep belief in God compelled him to tell others about his faith. He had so many questions to ask God; no doubt that is what he is doing right now!

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at Second Baptist Church (222 East 8th Street) with a visitation one hour prior to the service.