Gregory (Greg) Swinney, 41, of Sikeston, died June 28, 2012 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born April 25, 1971, in San Diego, California, to Ed and Margaret Forbey Swinney of Sikeston, he graduated in 1991 from Sikeston High School, and was employed by the Community Sheltered Workshop in Sikeston.
He was a member of Sikeston Eagles Aerie #3319, and a representative and board member of the Sikeston Chapter of Missouri People First for over 15 years, where he currently served as president. He was a global messenger for the Special Olympics, winning over 200 gold, silver and bronze medals during his 33 years of competition. In 1998 he earned the title of Missouri Special Olympics Athlete of the Year, and in 2002 was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, being the only individual to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame as both a coach and athlete simultaneously. A member of Murray Lane Baptist Church, he was a choir member, Sunday school teacher and VBS teacher, and also volunteered in the nursery and preschool areas.
In addition to his parents, survivors include: one brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Rachel Swinney of Cape Girardeau; one sister and brother-in-law, Megan and Harold Duff of Sikeston; his maternal grandmother, Margaret Forbey of Charleston; three nephews, Brandon, Cody and Austyn Swinney; and three nieces, Brittany Jones, Ashley Wheeler and Jena "Bugg" Enos.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Leon and Tillie Swinney, and maternal grandfather, Willis Forbey.
Burial will follow at the MO State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
He was a member of Sikeston Eagles Aerie #3319, and a representative and board member of the Sikeston Chapter of Missouri People First for over 15 years, where he currently served as president. He was a global messenger for the Special Olympics, winning over 200 gold, silver and bronze medals during his 33 years of competition. In 1998 he earned the title of Missouri Special Olympics Athlete of the Year, and in 2002 was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, being the only individual to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame as both a coach and athlete simultaneously. A member of Murray Lane Baptist Church, he was a choir member, Sunday school teacher and VBS teacher, and also volunteered in the nursery and preschool areas.
In addition to his parents, survivors include: one brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Rachel Swinney of Cape Girardeau; one sister and brother-in-law, Megan and Harold Duff of Sikeston; his maternal grandmother, Margaret Forbey of Charleston; three nephews, Brandon, Cody and Austyn Swinney; and three nieces, Brittany Jones, Ashley Wheeler and Jena "Bugg" Enos.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Leon and Tillie Swinney, and maternal grandfather, Willis Forbey.
Burial will follow at the MO State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Gregory (Greg) Swinney, 41, of Sikeston, died June 28, 2012 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born April 25, 1971, in San Diego, California, to Ed and Margaret Forbey Swinney of Sikeston, he graduated in 1991 from Sikeston High School, and was employed by the Community Sheltered Workshop in Sikeston.
He was a member of Sikeston Eagles Aerie #3319, and a representative and board member of the Sikeston Chapter of Missouri People First for over 15 years, where he currently served as president. He was a global messenger for the Special Olympics, winning over 200 gold, silver and bronze medals during his 33 years of competition. In 1998 he earned the title of Missouri Special Olympics Athlete of the Year, and in 2002 was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, being the only individual to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame as both a coach and athlete simultaneously. A member of Murray Lane Baptist Church, he was a choir member, Sunday school teacher and VBS teacher, and also volunteered in the nursery and preschool areas.
In addition to his parents, survivors include: one brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Rachel Swinney of Cape Girardeau; one sister and brother-in-law, Megan and Harold Duff of Sikeston; his maternal grandmother, Margaret Forbey of Charleston; three nephews, Brandon, Cody and Austyn Swinney; and three nieces, Brittany Jones, Ashley Wheeler and Jena "Bugg" Enos.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Leon and Tillie Swinney, and maternal grandfather, Willis Forbey.
Burial will follow at the MO State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
He was a member of Sikeston Eagles Aerie #3319, and a representative and board member of the Sikeston Chapter of Missouri People First for over 15 years, where he currently served as president. He was a global messenger for the Special Olympics, winning over 200 gold, silver and bronze medals during his 33 years of competition. In 1998 he earned the title of Missouri Special Olympics Athlete of the Year, and in 2002 was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, being the only individual to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame as both a coach and athlete simultaneously. A member of Murray Lane Baptist Church, he was a choir member, Sunday school teacher and VBS teacher, and also volunteered in the nursery and preschool areas.
In addition to his parents, survivors include: one brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Rachel Swinney of Cape Girardeau; one sister and brother-in-law, Megan and Harold Duff of Sikeston; his maternal grandmother, Margaret Forbey of Charleston; three nephews, Brandon, Cody and Austyn Swinney; and three nieces, Brittany Jones, Ashley Wheeler and Jena "Bugg" Enos.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Leon and Tillie Swinney, and maternal grandfather, Willis Forbey.
Burial will follow at the MO State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
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