Thomas Howard Swisher

March 20, 1938 - March 27, 2018

On March 27, 2018, we said good by to our head coach Thomas Howard Swisher.

Tom loved life and loved his family. He also enriched the lives of many through civil service, coaching, teaching, being a regular presence with American Karate Association of Champions through the City of Barstow Parks and Recreation, and by just sitting around Walmart for hours at a time for no real reason.

A basketball coach named Swisher, Tom was also a Veteran of the Navy, a retiree from the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Barstow, and also a retiree from the Silver Valley School District. He also spent a few years working in the medical field- an occupation which lead him to his future wife.

He is joined in heaven by his parents Thomas Nelson Swisher and Edna Jane Becker, his sister Cindy Martinez, his children Robert and Diana Swisher, as well as a crapton of Basset Hounds.

Tom will forever be remembered by his family left here on Earth- his wife Ruth Swisher, his daughter Robin Bruton, his sister Beverly Santucci, and so many grandchildren and great-grandchildren you would think they are trying to repopulate the planet. He also leaves behind one crabby ass weiner dog and, at the bottom of the Colorado River, several dozen cross necklaces and even a few wallets.

Services will be private, and he will be put to rest at Riverside National Cemetry. In lieu of flowers, please celebrate his life by drinking caramel frappuccinos and giving a forever home to an animal in need.

We love you old man. Your ass sucks wind.