Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at Hass Funeral Home in Clayton, New Mexico with Rev. Billy Rammage officiating. Burial will follow in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton.
Jerry was a skilled carpenter, who along with his brothers was responsible for building many homes in the town of Clayton. He owned and operated Swagerty Trading Company, known to the family as the “lumber yard” for many years—a family business started by his father Jesse who traded everything from pinto beans, animal hides, and coal before settling on lumber.
Jerry married Ann Butt on March 16, 1952 and they were married for one day shy of 69 years. Together they had three sons—Tom, Danny, and Randy Swagerty, all of Clayton, NM.
Jerry lived in Clayton for nearly all his life, living in the same house on Maple Street since his birth in 1932. He spent a few years away from home serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War starting in 1952. During this time, Jerry and Ann moved to Salzburg, Austria after his basic training in San Luis Obispo, California.
In his later years, Jerry was the unofficial town historian. He enjoyed reminiscing about the town he grew up in and, working with professors from Oklahoma State University, mapped a historical rendition of the Town of Clayton during his childhood. He mapped the locations of several car dealers, clothing shops, candy stores, and grocery stores. He also volunteered as a handyman at the Herzstein Memorial Museum.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Swagerty, his parents Jesse James and Lena Stecker Swagerty, his brothers Ancil, Jesse James Jr., Bill, and his sister Louise.
Survivors:
3 SONS: Tom Swagerty and wife Jill, Danny Swagerty and wife Hilma, and Randy Swagerty and wife Dianna.
He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
Memorials may be made to the Herzstein Memorial Museum, 22 S. Second Street, Clayton, NM 88415
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