Richard Dale Swafford

Richard was born on February 2, 1947, in Modesto, CA to the late Darrell and Nadine McKay Swafford. Richard joined the United States Army in 1965. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne as an E5 Sergeant in Vietnam. Richard served in the Army until August of 1973. On June 28, 1967, Richard married Judy Mae Bandy. They raised two sons, Richard Dale, Jr. (Rick) and Shawn. After living in West Virginia for many years, they moved to North Carolina in 1988. After 20 years of driving over the road with his wife, he retired in 2012. Richard then worked part-time with Waste Industries (GFL).

Richard was a jack-of-all-trades, a San Francisco 49ers fan, and enjoyed watching Nascar. He enjoyed sitting at his picnic table with his dog Jack watching activity in the neighborhood and visiting with friends.

Richard is survived by his wife, Judy; his sons, Richard Dale Swafford, Jr. and Shawn Patrick Swafford (wife, Christina), 2 grandsons Matthew and Nolan, all of Clayton, NC; and his sister, Kathy Antunez of California. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Larry Swafford of California.

A visitation for Richard will be held Tuesday, October 11 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at McLaurin Funeral Home, 12830 US 70 Business Hwy W, Clayton, NC 27520. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Swafford family may be entered below within the "add a memory" tab.