James Franklin Swisher III

James Franklin Swisher III (Jay) passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 28, 2025, just two months shy of his 78th birthday. Born on September 4, 1947, to Doris Mae and James F. Swisher Jr., he was the first of seven children. Jay grew up in the Spring Branch area of Houston alongside his six siblings — Richard, Michael, Alan, Brenda, Troy, and Paul — surrounded by laughter, loyalty, and lifelong memories that carried through the years. He attended Housman Elementary, Landrum Junior High, and graduated from Spring Branch High School with the Class of 1965.

In 1966, with the Vietnam War underway, Jay knew a letter from Uncle Sam could show up at any time — so he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard to serve his country. That November marked his first time leaving Texas, as he headed to basic training in San Diego, California. After completing training, he was stationed in Astoria, Oregon, and assigned to the USCG Cutter Magnolia Buoy Tender. It was there that Jay met the love of his life, Nera Grace Combos.

Jay’s service continued with training in Yorktown, Virginia, followed by an assignment as an engineman for the USCG Search and Rescue unit in Depoe Bay, Oregon. During that time, Jay and Nera welcomed their oldest son, Jamie. The family later relocated to Patos Island Light Station, on the northernmost of the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Jay’s favorite duty station came next — the Mukilteo Lighthouse in Mukilteo, Washington — where their daughter Jaylene was born.

The family moved back to Houston in 1970 and has remained in the Spring Branch area ever since. Jay and Nera’s youngest son, Jesse, was born in 1979. Jay worked for Southwestern Bell and AT&T as a stationary engineer for 37 years before retiring in 2009. His spare time was filled with woodworking, home improvements, working on vehicles, researching anything and everything, and watching the Weather Channel. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Doris and James; his brothers, Michael and Alan. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Nera; son Jamie, his wife Apsa, and their son Josh; daughter Jaylene Cyr, her husband Willie, their son Jacob, and Jacob’s fiancée, Katherine Knight; daughter Korey Cyr Oslovar and her husband, Nick; and son Jesse, his wife Melissa, and their daughters Elizabeth and Madelynn. He is also survived by his siblings Richard Swisher (wife Marla), Brenda Swisher, Troy Swisher, and Paul Swisher (wife Hari). A celebration of Jay’s life will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Brookside Funeral Home – Cypress Creek.