James Ronald Swinney

James Ronald Swinney, age 80, of Waynesville, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

James R Swinney (Jim) was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Eleanor Phillips Swinney and John Ronald Swinney. He and his younger brother Phillip grew up in Wichita, Kansas learning strong Mid-Western values of faith, independence and personal responsibility. Eleanor taught HS English and her faith was a great lesson for her sons. Summers growing up at the family cabin in the Missouri Ozarks afforded the opportunity to learn carpentry from Grandfather Marvin Phillips and fishing from his dad. Jim became interested in West Point growing up watching the “West Point” series on television.

Jim led his Southeast HS basketball team to the Wichita City basketball championship in his senior year and was named the most outstanding graduate of his HS class in 1964. As a Cadet, Jim was a Protestant Sunday School Teacher for all four years and enjoyed many Fine Arts Forum trips to New York City. At West Point Jim was a member of Company F-2 for most of his Cadet years. He remained life-long friends with fellow Zoo-mates and enjoyed the frequent “Zoo mini-reunions.” At Graduation, he was commissioned Armor because of his appreciation of the old Cavalry traditions and volunteered for the 3/4 Cavalry, 25th ID in Vietnam. A favorite story was branch selection night when LTC Norman Schwarzkopf, a former instructor, sought Jim out afterwards to give his congratulations and expressed his wish they would serve together in the future.

Within a year of graduation Jim married Gail Berry and together they had 4 wonderful children, Jennifer, Brian, Kevin and Erin. The children were the best part of the marriage, which lasted more than 25 years, but ended in divorce. Jim went to Vietnam in August 1969. As Second Platoon Leader with C Troop on the 24th of October, Jim’s platoon relieved an Infantry Company pinned down in the Ho Bo Woods. It was a desperate close-quarters fight in the infamous Iron Triangle. The Cav regained the tactical advantage against the larger entrenched enemy force to relieve the infantry, suffering several friendly casualties before relieving the besieged company. Jim received the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his valorous actions that day. Later he became the C Troop Commander and led his men in combat with distinction earning 3 Bronze Stars.

Jim obtained a master’s degree in Sociology at the University of New Hampshire while in route to the Office of Military Leadership (OML), now the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, in 1976. Fortuitously, the Class of 1980 also arrived with the first female cadets. Jim recognized the need for a Marriage and Family elective course in the Academy curricula. With the assistance of COL Harry Buckley, Department Head, the course, after much debate, was approved by the Academic Board and quickly became one of the most popular electives at the Academy.

After 12 years of Active Duty, Jim joined the US Army Reserves and began a parallel civilian career in finance operations and internet security, which uniquely combined all his professional experiences. In 1980 Jim enrolled in the C&GS Program at the USAR School in Manchester and accepted a VP position with Chubb Securities in Concord, NH. After completing C&GS Jim became the instructor for the school, was promoted to LTC and later retired after 20 years of military service. Chubb Securities offered Jim the opportunity to become a leader in the development of huge mutual fund industry trading systems. One of the industry development partners was Putnam Investments who hired him to be SVP of Shareholder Services with a staff of more than 450, where he continued to innovate systems and services for the Boston-based company.

It was at Putnam where Jim met Lucille Devaney, who became his Admin Assistant and later his wife, because they were such a good team. The final 17 years of work proved to be even more exciting when Jim, with Lucille at his side, moved into sales of internet security services in the US and Japan. Japanese customers wanted to learn the nexus between the defense of perimeters in Vietnam and their business computer systems. All the while Jim’s success continued with close relationships, delivering promises and relying on his life experiences.

Jim retired in 2012, and he and Lucille settled in South Florida. For nearly 20 years, they dedicated themselves to church work, leading a program that welcomed new Catholics into the faith. They also traveled with family and friends throughout Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, the Baltics, the Holy Land, Canada, and Alaska. Seeking relief from Florida’s hot summers, they bought a condo in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, where they spent many years fly-fishing, golfing, and sightseeing. In 2017, they hosted a reunion in Maggie Valley for 30 former C Troop veterans from Vietnam and their families. They eventually moved permanently to North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains, where they enjoyed a quieter, small-town retirement life and kept up with their nine grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on Sunday, November 1, at Garrett Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, November 2, at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Maggie Valley. Entombment will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park Mausoleum.

A reception will follow at St. Margaret of Scotland parish hall, 4650 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC, 28751.