James 'J.D.' Swinford

James ‘J.D.’ Swinford, 88, of Canyon, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Graveside services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, December 12, 2025 at Dreamland Cemetery with Rev. David Bagwell officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Brooks Chapel.

J.D. was born on October 14, 1937 in Borger, Texas to Rufus and Mildred (Barnett) Swinford. He graduated from Pampa High School in 1956 and earned a Bachelor's in Agricultural Economics from Texas Tech University. He worked in agricultural pharmaceuticals with National Molasses and Elanco, then focused on stocks and securities after retirement. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines.

J.D. married Mary ‘Kay’ Kelly on June 21, 1959 in Ft. Worth, and they were happily married for 62 years before she preceded him in death on January 19, 2022. They moved to Canyon in 1979 where they remained in the same home for the last forty-six years.

He served as a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Canyon, completed Theological Seminary Extension in Amarillo, and served with the Gideons. He was a gun enthusiast, a pilot, and enjoyed playing golf. His greatest love, however, was traveling with Kay in their motor home, spending months at a time in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, as well as traveling the world.

J.D. is also preceded in death by his father, Rufus Swinford and his mother, Mildred Salsman.

Survivors include his daughter, Laura Taylor and husband, Victor; nephew, Keith Radons and wife, Christine and their children, Adrian and Erin; and his much-loved grand dog, Piper.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to the First Baptist Church of Amarillo, 1208 S. Tyler St., Amarillo, TX 79101., or to a cause that was dear to J.D.’s heart, TMS Global, 6234 Crooked Creek Road, Norcross, GA 30092-3106 or TMS-Global.org to support Graysen Ortega’s missionary work.