Jay L. Swiers

Jay L Swiers (75) passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones on September 13th, 2026. Jay was born in Oberlin, Ohio on July 4th, 1951 and grew up on a dairy farm. When he left home he was an artificial inseminator and semen salesman for beef and dairy cattle. He lived in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina before making his way to Florida. He returned to dairy farming in High Springs and later became the Agricultural Appraiser for the Alachua County Property Appraiser.

While no words can adequately describe the depth of the human heart and the breadth of a single life, Jay was a great father, husband, and collector of insulators and antique lawn ornaments. If you found a big cool rock he would haul it home for you. Jay enjoyed recreational cowboy action shooting as a member of SASS (Single Action Shooting Society), telling tall tales, and the art of better sinkhole management. He was a member of the Ft. White Gun Club, where he established a youth fund that helped bring kids to major shooting events across the United States. Nearly all building construction on the cowboy range at the Ft. White Gun Club and at Roughshod Raiders is signed with his initials and date, the mark of his craftsmanship.

Jay was active in his children’s lives and his close community. He coached soccer, built sets for the local community theater and was eager to lend a hand or hammer to others in need. Speaking of, we are obligated to tell you that if he built a wooden deck or steps for you the lifetime warranty has expired.

Jay is preceded in death by his mother and father (Wesley and Sophia Swiers), sisters Joanne Toukoumedis, Jean Pocock and brother Jack Swiers. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Susan, and their three children, Morgan, Ryan, and Shanna. He is also survived by his sister Judy Fortney and brother John Swiers. Jay adored his daughter-in-laws, Christi and Kendra, his adoptive daughter Nevada and his three grand-daughters, Wrynn, Keira and Gaia.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to one of the following charitable organizations:

Girls Place, Inc (Gainesville, FL)