Jerry L Swafford

Jerry Loyde Swafford, age 84, of Bellflower, MO, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 19, 2025 at St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis, MO.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, April 25, 2025 at Grand View Funeral Home. Rev. Jason W Young will officiate. Burial with full military honors will be in the Grand View Burial Park.

A visitation celebrating Jerry's life will be held 10:00 am until time of service Friday, April 25, 2025 at the Grand View Funeral Home.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Grand View Funeral Home and Burial Park.

Jerry was born on November 26, 1940 in Holland, MO to Newell and Stella (Shephard) Swafford. He was a triplet and delivered at home.

He was married to Lois Barnes on May 28, 1961 in Swanton, Ohio. She passed away in 1998. He later married Itinia Pitcock on May 20, 2000 in Irving, TX. She resides in Allen, TX.

Jerry was very proud of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Itinia; his son, Jerry Loyde Swafford II and wife Cindy of Bellflower, MO, daughter, Annette Hendricks and husband Randy of New London, MO, stepson, David Taylor and wife Janet of Grapevine, TX, stepdaughter, Susan Noble and husband Jeff of Allen, TX; Grandchildren: Shawn (Stephanie) Swafford, Philip (Baileigh) Hendricks, Michael (Kendall) Stradford, Andrew Meadows, Randall Hendricks, Carson Taylor, Collin Taylor, Mathew Noble, and Andrew Noble; Great-grandchildren: Gavin Hendricks, Landon Swafford, Elizabeth Swafford, and Raegan Stradford, Luke Hendricks, Leigha Hendricks; Inlaws: Hannalore Swafford, Janet Winterhaulter, and Della and Milton Henning.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois; brothers: Terry Swafford, Larry Swafford, William Gray, Lindsey Gray, Donald Gray, John Swafford; Sisters: Sarah Culp, Joyce Keike, and Patsy Spicer; and numerous brother and sister in-laws.

Jerry was a triplet, but Larry died before their first birthday, so he and Terry were raised as twins. They were very close and did everything together. He was raised by his loving mother and taught at an early age the value of working and developed his faith in God.

He graduated from High school in 1958 at age 17 and joined the Army with his twin brother. Jerry proudly served for 3 years. He received training as a Tele-a-type operator. He then went to school for training for the Railroad and started working for the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad and later the Burlington Northern Railroad. He was a dispatcher in the office. He retired after 40 years of service.

Jerry met Lois while they were both in the Army and enjoyed 37 years of marriage. They raised their children and enjoyed many camping and fishing trips. Family time was always important. After her death Jerry was blessed with his second love and married Itinia. They enjoyed retirement with a lot of traveling including trips to Germany, France, Hawaii and many camping and fishing trips. They took great care of each other as they aged.

Jerry enjoyed bowling and playing sports when he was younger. He also enjoyed going to the Gambling casinos, fishing, refinishing furniture, gardening, and many other projects. He was a great cook and could grill an amazing steak. He loved spending time with family and always greeted you with a smile and a warm hug or handshake. He loved to laugh and tell jokes or funny stories.

Jerry was a 50-year member of several organizations: Freemasons, Shriners, Order of Eastern Star, and Elks Lodge. He helped with the Rainbow Girls by serving as the Dad Advisor for a few years and helped with the DeMolays. He owned a Tin Lizzy and drove with the Shriners in several parades while living in Hannibal. He also enjoyed helping to drive children to the Shriners Children’s Hospital to receive treatment when living in Texas.

Jerry’s memory will live forever in the hearts and minds of those that loved him.

Memorial donations can be sent to the Shriners Children's hospital in St Louis. 4400 Clayton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110