Jim Swing

James B. (Jim) Swing, 82, of Lantern Lane, died Thursday, January 9 at Rowan Regional Medical Center after a short illness. A memorial service will be 5:00pm Sunday, January 12 at First Reformed United Church of Christ where he was a lifelong member, with Revs. Robin Keating and Dr. Lee Jessup officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date in the Church Columbarium. The family will receive friends following the service in the sanctuary and other times at the home of his daughter, Denise Durham on Indian Wells Circle, Lexington. Mr. Swing was born July 17, 1931 in Davidson County to Baxter Dermont Swing and Frances Barbee Swing. A veteran of the US Army, he began his career with Maybelle Transport and Buck Young Oil Company. He started Contract Transporter in 1973, which merged and became Swing Transport in 1975. He continued to serve as Chairman of the Board of the company. He served on the Board of Directors of Nazareth Children’s Home for many years, where the Swing Center was built and dedicated to him and his wife. He also sponsored the “Swingin for Nazareth” Golf Tournament for many years. He was an avid golfer and active in his church. He sang in the church choir and in the Christian Herald Quartet, as well as serving as an Elder, Deacon, and Trustee. Jim was a loving and generous soul to all. His loving wife of 60 years, Arlene Lashmit Swing, preceded him in death, as well as his son in law, Ronnie Durham, and his brother in law, Lawrence “Bus” Leonard. Surviving are his daughters, Linda Burkhart and husband Chip of Spencer, and Denise Durham of Lexington; four grandchildren, Courtney Grimsley and husband Wesley, Brad Durham, Christopher and Bryan Burkhart; his brother, William Lacy Swing and wife, Yuen, of Geneva, Switzerland; and his sister, Anna Swing Leonard of Thomasville. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to First Reformed United Church of Christ, 104 East Center Street, Lexington, NC 27292 or Nazareth Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1438, Rockwell, NC 28138.