Lifelong Coffeyville resident and local businessman, Gary Swigart, Jr., age 58, passed away peacefully at his home with his loving family by his side on the evening of Monday, May 9, 2022, after his long and courageous fight against pancreatic cancer.
Gary was born on March 15, 1964, in Coffeyville, Kansas to Gary V. Swigart, Sr. and Carole Ann (Pool) Swigart. He grew up in Coffeyville where he attended local schools and graduated from Field Kindley High School. Gary furthered his education at the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gary later made the decision to further his college education and in the 1990's he attended Coffeyville Community College where he earned an Associate Degree.
Gary had many talents, one of those talents was his ability to repair automobiles. At a young age he was an apprentice to a local mechanic who taught Gary what he could about fixing cars. After several years working as a mechanic for local repair shops, he decided it was time to branch out on his own. In 1999, he opened his auto repair shop in Coffeyville, Gary's Automotive at 4th and Poplar where he worked as owner/operator and head mechanic for 21 years until his retirement in 2020. There are countless members of the Coffeyville community and the surrounding area who held Gary in high regard for his honesty, integrity, strong work ethic and for helping people in their time of need.
On July 7, 1991, Gary was happily married to Kim Wisely in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple made their home in Coffeyville. Together the couple traveled all over throughout the years. Some trips they took with their family or friends and some just the two of them. Gary just loved traveling and socializing with people, they tried to take a vacation every year. As recently as this April they were able to travel to Florida. Gary was determined he was going to make the trip and they had a wonderful time.
Gary was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Coffeyville for many years. Some of his hobbies were golfing, hunting, watching sports of all kinds, especially his favorite teams the Kansas City Chiefs football and the Kansas City Royals baseball. The most important thing to Gary was his family and the time he was able to spend surrounded by the people he loved. Gary's outlook on life, his ability to help others in a time of need, along with his infectious smile and laughter will remain in the hearts of all those he touched along his path through life.
Those surviving to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Kim Swigart of the home; daughters, Mandy George and husband, Gabe of Coffeyville, Kansas, Racheal Custer and partner, Carlos Lombrana of Coffeyville, Kansas, Heather Peck and husband, Dex of Hilo, Hawaii; grandchildren, Dax Adamson and wife, Abigail, Charley McCalip, Raylon Custer, Lola Peck, Denae, Chasidy and Shelbie George; great grandchildren, Gatlin J. Adamson, Landyn George and Kingston Gambler; siblings, Jerry Swigart and wife, Penny of Madison, Alabama, Joy Anderson and husband, Darrell of Columbus, Nebraska, Judy Swigart-Webb of Emmett, Idaho, Greg Vowell and wife, Angela of Coffeyville, Kansas, Tony Vowell and wife, Brandi of Independence, Kansas; numerous nieces, nephews, extended relatives and close friends. Gary was preceded in death by his father, Gary Swigart, Sr. and by his mother, Carole Ann Snow.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene 2300 W. 1st St., Coffeyville. Pastor Ford Hall and Pastor Luke Letsinger will officiate. A private burial will take place at Spring Hill Cemetery north of Coffeyville.
Visitation will be held throughout the day on Monday, May 16, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at David W Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.
Visitation with the family present to greet friends will take place on Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene 2300 W. 1st St. in Coffeyville.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions can be made to the First Church of the Nazarene Youth Group; these may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home 306 N. Cline Rd. Coffeyville, KS 67337.
To leave a message for the family online, visit www.dwbfh.com
