Thomas D. Swiggum, Jr., 98, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, October 1st, 2020. He was born November 10, 1921 in Louisville, Kentucky. He was the only child of Thomas & Eulane (Johnson) Swiggum, Sr.
Tommy was a graduate of Louisville Male High School. He enlisted in the Navy on March 18, 1941, and proudly fought in World War II, serving in the South Pacific aboard the USS Lexington. It was during the war that he met and married the love of his life, Frankie Atkinson. After the war ended, he, his wife and young son, returned to Louisville, where he trained to become a licensed plumber. Tommy retired from plumbing after 42 years with Koenig Brothers Plumbing Co. He later went on to start a new career in the meat department of Kroger’s. He loved to travel, garden and was an avid golfer. He was also a short wave radio operator. He was a member of Henry County Country Club in Kentucky and, later, Vache Grassse Country Club in Arkansas.
Tommy was of the Baptist faith and a member of Farmdale Baptist Church in Louisville. He attended First Baptist Church of Fort Smith virtually.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Frankie and his son, Gary. Survivors include his daughter, Lynda Taylor (Tim); grandchildren Becky Hunt (Jimmy), Nikki Dewitt (Shane) and Chris Taylor (Kyla); great grandchildren Jessica Moldenhauer (Michael), Bethany McDonald, James Hunt, Hailey and Autumn Dewitt, Maddox and Olivia Taylor; and great-great grandchildren Kylie McDonald and Arthur Thomas Moldenhauer. He and his family hold a special place in their hearts for his caregivers from Superior Senior Care, Teleshea, Michell and Victoria who helped care for him, kept him company and made him laugh. The family is also appreciative of the attention he received from everyone at Heart of Hospice, especially his nurse Brandy aide Tyler.
Services will be held at Evergreen Funeral Home in Louisville, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Fort Smith, 1400 Grand Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901or First Tee of Louisville, 460 Northwestern Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40212.
Local arrangements under the direction of Fentress Mortuary www.fentressmortuary.com
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