Hugh S. Swisher

Hugh S. Swisher of 717 Middlebrook Road passed away peacefully on October 11, 2022, at Augusta Health. Hugh was born to the late George Henry Swisher and Carrie Lena Arehart Swisher on February 20, 1936, in Lexington, VA. He was the youngest of ten children and the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Hugh is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy Caricofe Swisher, a son Hugh Olen Swisher and wife Megan, and five special grandchildren Kailyn Jane and Jayce Olen Swisher, and Wyatt Scott, Weston Charles, and MacKenzie Ann Shomo. He was affectionately known as “Papa” to all his grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Proceeding him in death were seven brothers; Houston, Curtis, Leonard, Calvin, Greenlee, Babe, and Eugene and two sisters; Vottie Whitmore and Phyllis Summers.

For forty years Hugh operated the dairy at Oak Springs Farm on Middlebrook Road. He continued to farm at Oak Springs Farm when it transitioned to a beef cattle farm now managed by his son Olen.
Hugh and Nancy have been active members of Second Presbyterian Church in Staunton where Hugh served on the Board of Deacons and was an ordained elder serving on the session of the church and on several church committees.

Hugh served on the Augusta County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He was a member of the Middlebrook Ruritan Club where he was an active member for 47 years and served three terms as president of the club.

Hugh served six years in the Virginia National Guard, a member of the Company L 16th Infantry, where he achieved the rank of sergeant.

Hugh was a true farmer. He loved growing and harvesting the crops, caring for the livestock and lending a helping hand to a fellow farmer when it was needed. He will be missed in the farming community.
Hugh’s memory will be cherished by his family, his church family, his Ruritan friends and his neighbors.

The family will be receiving friends Monday, October 17, 2022, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Henry Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 2pm by the Rev. Dr. Evan R. Smith at Second Presbyterian Church.

Burial will follow the service at Thornrose Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Jonathan Coleman, Justin Shomo, Chad Blackwell, Tim Hartless, Mark Wagner, and J.R. Coleman.

Honorary pallbearers will be the grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.