R.C. Swigert

R. C. Swigert, age 96 , passed away Sunday, October 25, 2026 at the Robley Rex VA Hospital in Louisville, with his family by his side. Richard Chrisman Swigert was born October 21, 1930 in Owenton, Kentucky to the late Ernest Lee Swigert and the late Kate Davis Webster. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by one brother, J.W. Swigert; one sister, Kathryn Inman; two nephews, Greg Inman and Richard Swigert; one niece, Jean Kaye Patton.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Mary Frances (Hammond) Swigert; his son and daughter-n-law, Clint and Clemmie Swigert; and his daughter, Teresa Swigert. A brother, Robert Lee Swigert, survives along with several nieces and nephews, as well as his church family at Cedar Hill Baptist.

He worked hard his entire life. Growing up, as tenant farmers, R.C.’s family lived at several places in Owen County, but mostly the communities of Cedar Hill, Pleasant Home, Squiresville and Monterey. In his teens, he was helping to support his mother and younger siblings by raising tobacco and running a dairy.

He served his country stateside at Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri during the Korean War. He was injured in March 1954 and spent the remainder of his service, 22 months in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. He was only able to come home five or six times. One of those times was in December 1954. He and Mary Frances married on December 23rd, celebrated Christmas with family and friends, and said a final good-bye to his beloved grandfather, William C. Davis, before returning to D.C. in January.

After his long stay at Walter Reed Hospital, he returned to Owen County and started working with his uncle, Robert Davis. He learned to operate a bulldozer and continued in this line of work until retiring due to health in 1992. Even though not working full-time, he still managed to operate a bulldozer at age 90. All the while bulldozing, he also farmed through the years. Later in life, he loved his Kubota lawn tractor and enjoyed mowing grass at his home and for the Cedar Hill Church. Having to give up mowing and driving at age 94 was hard for him, because work was enjoyment to him. Relaxation was fishing – and he worked at that too. In retirement years, another enjoyment for him was meeting his friends and making some new ones at the coffee club. The club was started at the old Dairy Queen, then continued at Family Billiards and McDonald’s.

He and his soul-mate, Mary Frances, worked the farm together, loved fishing together, and just being together- a loving partnership that lasted for 72 years.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation at the Main Street location of New Funeral home on Thursday, October 29, from 4 pm to 8 pm. Another visitation will be at Cedar Hill Baptist Church, HWY 127 S, on Friday, October 30, from 10 am to 12 pm. The service will begin at noon with Bro. Mike Blankenship and Pastor Larry Case officiating. A military burial will follow at the Owenton IOOF Cemetery with Bro. Johnny Thomas officiating.