Obituary of james russell swinney iii

James Russell Swinney August 18, 1942- June 26,2022 on June 26, 2022, James Russell Swinney III was summoned to appear before his creator. He made the trip with joy knowing that his Savior who he acknowledged in life and now in death died on the cross so that all sins he had committed that would have denied him to be in the presence of the Almighty were forgiven. He went by the nickname “Russ” most his life and was preceded in death by his loving wife, Daryl Lee Robinson Snyder Swinney and his Stepfather, Lucious “Buck” Garner and his mother, Martha Narcisus Blum Garner. Buck raised him as his own after marrying his mother when Russ was a toddler. Also preceding him in death were his three brothers Lucious Wayne Garner, Donald Ray Garner and Franklin Lamar Garner. He looks forward to being with all of them when he arrives at the pearly gates as well as with his favorite Grandma, Hattie Mae Blum. She was called “Nannie” by all her grandkids. Nannie provided Russ with his first exposure to hearing the word of God and the offer of salvation when she took him to the Warrington Baptist Church with her on a regular basis. He was with her when he felt the call to surrender his life to Jesus and asked to be saved and baptized. Nannie was married to Grandpa Zeleph Blum who was one of the Blum clans out of Pleasant Grove in the late 30’s and early 40’s before migrating to the downtown Warrington area. Grandpa Blum sired four children, Margarete, Jack, Henry, and Russ’s mother Martha all who passed on years ago. Russ began his work life early in life, starting as a paperboy for the newspaper when he was 14. That job offered him the opportunity to earn his own spending money and taught him how to handle his finances in a responsible way. At the age of 17 in 1960, he enlisted in the USN and served aboard a Destroyer (USS Morton-DD 984) and a Destroyer Escort (USS McMorris-DE 1036) during his tour of duty, both since decommissioned and sent to the scrap yards. He had many fond memories of his life aboard ship; visiting foreign ports and getting to see life as lived by other cultures. After his discharge in 1963 he worked several different jobs before seeing an ad in the paper for Deputy Sheriff for Escambia County. He applied for the job and was hired during October of 1965. The curiosity about the job turned into a career spanning over 39 years until he retired in 2004. During that time, he served under seven Sheriffs (Davis, Barnes, Untreiner, Seely, Johnson, Lowman and McNesby) and received five promotions over the years to Investigator, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Major. In 1968 Russ met an Indiana farm girl, Daryl Lee Robinson Snyder, who had had become a widow with three small children after a reckless driver killed her husband. She came to Florida for a visit and she and Russ found they had a lot in common. Russ fell for her big brown eyes, easy going manner, beautiful smile, and outlook on life. He proposed marriage, she accepted, and they were united on April 28, 1969. In marrying her, Russ also married the three children, David Mark, Charla Jo (Finley) and Paul Alan. He formally adopted all three that same year. Russ and Daryl planned to have another child and quickly added to the family by the arrival of Alisa Lee (Dixon) in July 29 of 1970. Seven years later another daughter, who wasn’t planned for surprised them with her heartbeat. Sarah Elizabeth (Tibbett) arrived on July 29, 1977. Russ especially enjoyed the last few years of his life spending time with his two youngest Grandchildren, Brice James and Grace who were brought into this world by the Union of Brandon Tibbett and Sarah. Both of the “Grands” loved to tease and play games with PaPa. Thanks to their mom and Dad, both loved to have a book read to them as they followed along with the pictures. Russ is especially thankful for his son Paul who survives him and who was always devoted and caring for Russ and his mom. He could always be counted on to help with any problem we had at any time of the day or night. He was a widower himself early in life and single handedly raised a daughter who he loves and who loves him. Russ is also survived by oldest son David Mark, oldest daughter Charla Jo Finley, and next daughter Alisa Lee Dixon and as mentioned younger daughter Sarah Elizabeth Tibbett. Russ is a perpetual life member of the Florida Masonic Fraternity with membership at the Pensacola Lodge 42. He served as the Master of the Lodge in 2000 and as the lodge secretary from 2005 through 2014. He is also a perpetual life member of the Scottish Rite Masonic body and a perpetual life member of the Zelica Grotto. He was a member of the York Rite Masonic Body and Hadji Shrine. Russ leaves this earth professing his faith and belief that Jesus died for his sins on the cross over 2,000 years ago and that sacrifice assures him a place in Gods kingdom. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM for visitation and service at 12:00 PM at Family-Funeral & Cremation, 5627 N Davis Hwy Pensacola, Florida 32503. Family-Funeral & Cremation is entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Russ’s remains will be placed next to Daryl’s at the National Cemetery on the Naval Air Station. In lieu of flowers please send a contribution to the; Pensacola Waterfront Mission, 380 W. Herman St, Pensacola, Fla 32503; Covenant Hospice, 5041 N. 12 th Ave, Pensacola, 31504; Shriners Hospital for Children, 815 Market St, Galveston, Texas- 27550; The Masonic Medical Research Laboratory (MMRL), 2150 Bleecker St, Utica, NY 13501; or The Alzheimer’s Research Center, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, Md. 20871.