James Swindal Obituary

James Swindal Jr HANAHAN - A Life Well Lived, A Legacy of Love: On February 28. 2024, James Ralph Swindal, Jr. (Ralph Jr.) left for heaven to reunite with his parents. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to James Ralph Swindal, Sr. (Tuscaloosa, AL) and Olga Steele Swindal (Metairie, LA). He spent time in the Philippines and San Francisco as a child before settling in Hanahan, South Carolina. He attended the "new" Hanahan High School with the first full graduating class in 1963, where he served as Class President and was beloved by his classmates. After graduation, he headed for college, but that journey took an unexpected turn when Ralph Jr. discovered that his father was not driving towards The University of Alabama, but he instead dropped him off at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Four years later, he graduated with a degree and a baby (Lisa, 1965) and began his career with the South Carolina Department of Revenue as an Audit Supervisor. While working with the State to put food on the family table, Ralph Jr. discovered that his real passion was building boats and bowling. Ralph Jr. and Ralph Sr. spent countless hours trying to build the perfect bass fishing boat while hanging out at Beacon Bowling Lanes throwing strikes! His son, James Ralph Swindal, III, was born in 1970 and the Swindal name continued. Ralph Jr. later married the love of his life (Sandra Phillips, N. Charleston) in January 1987, and their love story began. In retirement, you could find Ralph Jr. at the Rifle Club bowling, or cooking on Friday nights. He was known as "Coach" around the Rifle Club, where he would put together his menu each week to feed the masses on Friday nights. He would purchase fresh ingredients and serve up some amazing food. Friday nights were sold out when members knew Ralph Jr. was cooking! He loved his cats, gardening, and feeding his wild birds in the backyard. His heart and his life was full! Sandra bravely and tirelessly cared for him through his battle with Alzheimer's disease until the end, with his beloved cat, Twinkie II, by his side. Ralph Jr. had no patents, and no real claim to fame. But he sold a few bass boats over the years, won a few bowling trophies, and was an amazing cook. His legacy of deep love and kindness, humor, and quick wit will live on in his children and grandchildren. He loved generously and was always there to lend a helping hand or a kind word of support, and he always had his sense of humor until his last breath. Ralph Jr. is survived by his spouse, Sandra Phillips Swindal (Hanahan); his daughter, Lisa Swindal Tyler (Atlanta); his son, James Ralph Swindal, III (Hanahan), spouse, Suzanne Swindal; and grandchildren, Gavin Royce Tyler (28, Atlanta), Morgan Scott Tyler (25, Atlanta), Lindsey Louise Swindal (21, Hanahan, Clemson University), Harrison Davis Swindal (18, Hanahan, Clemson University), and Sandra's three children, Sandy, Glenn, and Tammy. A visitation will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 11:00AM with a celebration of life service to follow at 12:00PM at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, located at 7113 Rivers Ave., N.Charleston, SC 29406.