Kathleen (Kay) Minor Swisher

Kathleen (Kay) Minor Swisher, 74, of Longview, Texas passed away on January 3, 2013. Kay was born on December 14, 1938 in San Antonio, Texas to Thurston (Pat) and Doris (DoDo) Minor. After graduating from Kilgore High School, she attended Kilgore College where she was a Rangerette. She later moved to College Station and met her future husband, Neil Douglas Swisher. They were married on June 3, 1958 in Kilgore, Texas. They moved to Longview in 1968 and raised a family of 4 children. She supported her husband when they started the business of East Texas Machine Works, Inc. in 1973, which is still family run.

Throughout her adult life, she was involved in many activities. She had been an active member of the DAR, volunteered for the Department of Human Services where she received the Volunteer of the Year Award, and enjoyed antiquing and playing bridge with her friends. She loved spending time with her family, at home and on vacations, especially the time spent with her grandkids. She also loved caring for her pets - her dogs, cats and horses. The family would like to say a special “Thank You” to her caregiver Ruby Thacker and especially to Marie Cathey, who has been her friend, companion and helper for almost 40 years.

She is survived by her husband: Neil of Longview; Her Children: Randy Swisher and his wife Jamie of Longview, Timmy Swisher of Longview, Jennifer McStravick and her husband John E. of Tomball, TX, Laura Swisher of Houston, TX; Grandchildren: Trent Swisher of Durango, CO, Audra Swisher of Baton Rouge, LA, Zack Simons of Longview, Kathleen, Robert, and Ann Marie McStravick of Tomball.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 7, 2013 at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, under the direction of Lakeview Funeral Home. Flowers are permitted or memorials may be made to the Gregg County Humane Society.