Austin Swanger

Fines Creek, Austin Charles Swanger, age 62, passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Mission Hospital following a brief illness. A native of Transylvania County, he was the son of the late Mark Silas Swanger, Sr. and Faye Easter Swanger. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by an Uncle Frank Green with whom he lived with for 40 years; also preceded in death by his father-in-law Gus Ledford. Austin was a 1972 graduate of Brevard High School. Following his graduation he returned to Haywood County to become a proud farmer of his family property which was owned by his family since the early 1800's. Austin was a founding member of the Fines Creek Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a former member of the Haywood Board of Health. He was a former member of the Haywood County Board of Education from 1990-1998 and was active with the Ole Smoky Antique Tractor and Engine Association. Austin also enjoyed NASCAR and was a UNC Tarheel fan. Austin was a member of Fines Creek Memorial Baptist Church and oversaw the church cemetery and was instrumental in its continued preservation and maintenance. Austin Charles Swanger took great pride in his family heritage in Fines Creek and farming was his vocation as well as his hobby. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathy Ledford Swanger; two sons, Matthew Blayne Swanger and Damon Stuart Swanger, both of Fines Creek; one sister, Reva Dell Hudson, of Fines Creek; one brother, Mark Swanger, and his wife, Sue, of Fines Creek; three grandchildren, Hayden Austin, Madison Grace and Reagan Leann Swanger; mother-in-law, Faye S. Ledford. The funeral service for Austin will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at Fines Creek Memorial Baptist Church with Reverend Jimmy Moore officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville. Serving as pallbearers will be Scott Ledford, Jason Griffin, Bobby Joe Sutton, William Sutton, Coleman Hudson, Dale Cogdill, Anthony Green and James Ferguson. Memorials may be made to Fines Creek Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery Maintenance Fund c/o James Ferguson, 11571 Betsy's Gap Road, Clyde, NC 28721. Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Waynesville is in charge of arrangements. An on-line memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at "www.wellsfuneralhome.com"

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