Gregory Allen Swinney

Gregory (Greg) Swinney, 41, of Sikeston, died June 28, 2012 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born April 25, 1971, in San Diego, California, to Ed and Margaret Forbey Swinney of Sikeston, he graduated in 1991 from Sikeston High School, and was employed by the Community Sheltered Workshop in Sikeston. He was a member of Sikeston Eagles Aerie #3319, and a representative and board member of the Sikeston Chapter of Missouri People First for over 15 years, where he currently served as president. He was a global messenger for the Special Olympics, winning over 200 gold, silver and bronze medals during his 33 years of competition. In 1998 he earned the title of Missouri Special Olympics Athlete of the Year and also was honored with the International Special Olympics Inspiration Award. In 2002 he was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as an athlete, along with his coach of over 30 years, Vickie Dannenmueller; the pair being the only individual athlete and coach to ever be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame simultaneously. A member of Murray Lane Baptist Church, he was a choir member, Sunday school teacher and VBS teacher, and also volunteered in the nursery and preschool areas.

In addition to his parents, survivors include: one brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Rachel Swinney of Cape Girardeau; one sister and brother-in-law, Megan and Harold Duff of Sikeston; his maternal grandmother, Margaret Forbey of Charleston; three nephews, Brandon, Cody and Austyn Swinney; and three nieces, Brittany Jones, Ashley Wheeler and Jena Bugg Enos.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Leon and Tillie Swinney, and maternal grandfather, Willis Forbey.

Visitation will begin at 10:00am on Monday, July 2, at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where funeral services will be conducted at 1:30pm, with Rev. Kelley Grubbs, pastor of the Murray Lane Baptist Church in Sikeston, officiating.

Burial will follow at the MO State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Pallbearers will be: Bryan Gaskins, Robert Johnson, LeRoy Price, Cody Swinney, Brandon Swinney, Bill Nance and Roger Tesney. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be fellow members of People First and Special Olympians athletes and coaches.

Memorial contributions may be sent to:

Special Olympics

1625 N. Kingshighway

Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

OR

Sikeston People First

105 S. Bates St.

Sikeston, MO 63801