Raymond Pierce Swinney

Raymond Pierce Swinney of Baton Rouge, LA, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully in his home on February 26,2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 85 years old. Ray Swinney was born at home on April 4,1939, to Marion Mott (Bill) and Bessie Swinney in Vinton, LA. and was the youngest of 8 children. He spoke often and with pride of his home life in Vinton. He loved spending time after school and on weekends at Swinney’s Cafe owned by his father. Ray was the first in his family to graduate from college receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Louisiana State University. It was there that he met the love of his life, Verna Thompson Swinney, of Baton Rouge, in 1959. They married on June 2, 1962, and began their beautiful life together.

Upon graduation from LSU in 1962, he began his career with Foster Canvas Products in New Orleans. In 1966, he accepted a position with Kellwood Company and moved his family to McComb, MS. Throughout his career with Kellwood, he was relocated to several different states and in 1979, moved his family back to McComb. Shortly after moving back, he was promoted to Director of Quality Control working out of the corporate office in St. Louis, Missouri. Ray traveled the world with Kellwood where he was able to see over 31 countries and he brought his family with him whenever he could. He retired in the year 2000 after 34 years of outstanding service. Although he attained great success in his professional career, receiving many awards and accolades, his proudest role was that of a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, of 62 years, Verna Thompson Swinney; three daughters, Leah Swinney, Regan Swinney Jones (Dennis), Dana Swinney; son, Mitch Swinney (Kayla); and 5 grandchildren, Julia Jones King (Andy), Gwinneth Jones, Emily Swinney, Jack Delamain, and Henry Swinney. He is also survived by one sister, Betty Parker, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Outside of spending time with family and friends, Ray enjoyed sailing, gardening, genealogy, traveling, music, and carpentry. He also loved animals and wildlife and as a result, there were many pets within the home throughout the years. He was a skilled craftsman in the art of ship modeling and built historical model ships for each of his children. His love of sailing began in childhood where he would draw pictures of boats and ships to decorate his bedroom walls. At the age of 17, he worked on a tugboat as a deckhand and so began his love of the water and boating. He purchased his first sailboat, while living in North Carolina in the early 1970’s, sharing his passion for sailing with his family throughout the years. They were his favorite crew. He was a member of the Pontchartrain Yacht Club for 32 years and Corinthians Sailing Association for 20 years. He loved to race competitively, receiving numerous awards over the years. His wife Verna shared his love for sailing and often served as his “first mate” during relaxing leisure sails as well as racing competitions on Lake Pontchartrain. They also shared an exciting two-week sailing adventure from New Orleans to Destin, Florida. Memories of which he loved to share with others. Ray was a man of few words, but we cherished them. He had a kind and gentle soul. He was honest, hardworking, respectful, and loyal. He loved to fix things and solve problems. Ray enjoyed the simple things in life. He had a peaceful and quiet presence. We loved everything about him, and we will miss him…. until we meet again. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Marion Mott (Bill) and Bessie Swinney; brothers, Bill Swinney (Gloria), John L. Swinney (Billie Jean); and infant brother, Bobby Lee; sisters, Joyce Dillon (Burnice), Dora Magee (Edward), Jo Ann Powers (Edward); and brother-in-law, Buford Parker. Visitation will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home in Baton Rouge, LA, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 1:00 pm until the Memorial Gathering at 3pm. The family would like to thank Pinnacle Hospice for their loving care of our father during his final days with us.