James "Jim" K Swaffar

In place of flowers, donations may be made in his name to American Legion Post 1038, Valhalla, New York. ZELLE: ALPost1038NY@gmail.com ONLINE: https://alpost1038ny.org/donate or MAIL A CHECK: American Legion Post 1038, 27 Legion Drive, Valhalla, NY 10595 James K. "Jim" Swaffar passed away on December 12, 2023, at the age of 76 years old. He was born on May 7, 1947, in Altus, Oklahoma, to the late William "Bill" Swaffar and the late Bessie Levonia Swaffar. He attended Elk City High School and proudly played football as an offensive and defensive lineman. He graduated from Elk City in 1965, going on to play football at Cameron Junior College. He then went on to attend Oklahoma State University, where he graduated in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in Accounting. On October 28, 1969, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was deployed to West Germany as an 1174 with the air defense artillery. He was a 1st Lieutenant and forward area weapons platoon leader. Jim received the Army Commendation Medal, the Medal of Good Conduct, and the National Defense Medal. Jim was then placed in a reserve unit based out of St. Louis. After serving, he relocated to Houston, Texas, where he was an accountant for Texaco Pipeline Inc. for 30 years. There he married Lynn Chernosky, to whom he was married for many years. Jim was an active volunteer for numerous events and charities. Upon retiring from oil and gas, Jim spent his time umpiring baseball and volunteering at St. Luke's Hospital in the Houston Medical Center, where he accumulated more than 9,000 volunteer hours. His life was filled with countless hours of helping and caring for people. He loved and served, wanting nothing in return. The times Jim was happiest were when he was out fishing in Missouri City, TX—catfish was his all-time favorite to catch. Jim was quite the cook in the kitchen as well, known for his cajun style of cooking—loved by all were his perfectly cooked eggs, jambalaya, Texas chili, steak & mashed potatoes with cream gravy, and New England clam chowder, amongst many other homemade soup renditions. Jim is survived by his three loving children: Jim Jr, Andrew and his wife Jaclyn, and Catherine and her husband Jeremy. He also has two grandchildren, Oliver and Benjamin. He always enjoyed his time with his extended families: the Perrys, the Bannerots, the Rumseys, the Leshikars, the Duggers, the Parkers, and the Chernoskys. In place of flowers, donations may be made in his name to American Legion Post 1038, Valhalla, New York. ZELLE: ALPost1038NY@gmail.com ONLINE: https://alpost1038ny.org/donate or MAIL A CHECK: American Legion Post 1038 27 Legion Drive Valhalla, NY 10595

James "Jim" K Swaffar

May 7, 1947 - December 12, 2023