James Swearingen

James R. Swearingen, 62, Mountain Home passed away Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, in a Boise hospital with family members at his side. Services were held Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, and he was laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery.

Jim was born Nov. 16, 1949, in Mountain Home to Earl and Joan Swearingen. Jim graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1968.

Soon after graduation, he married Sylvia Mays, and they drove to Florida to start their new life. They returned to Mountain Home a year later. Jim and Sylvia had three children: Randy, Tracy and Brandy.

Jim worked as a propane delivery driver, operated a retail store in Mountain Home with his father and sold real estate. In 1981, Jim moved to Rock Springs, Wyo., where he worked in the oil fields for Haliburton. He also helped set up mobile homes in the boom town.

Jim returned to Mountain Home in 1987 and was later divorced. He began a career as a block and brick layer, eventually becoming a journeyman mason. Jim worked on churches, schools, commercial buildings and other projects all over the western United States and took great pride in his work.

Jim loved hunting and fishing. The many trophy mounts he had were proudly displayed. Elk, deer, Rocky Mountain Sheep, antelope and other trophies were displayed in his home and his parents home. Jim caught hundreds of sturgeon and was diligent about caring for the fish to make sure they were quickly released in good shape.

Jim enjoyed hanging out with his buddies having a few cold ones and talking about hunting, fishing and football. Boise State lost a huge fan with Jim's passing. Jim's two dogs, Scooter and Puddy, were his constant companions.

Jim is survived by his son, Randy of Boise; daughter Tracy and her husband Dave MacFarlane of West Lake Village, Calif.; and daughter Brandy and her husband Jeff York of Advance, N.C.; six grandchildren, his brothers Ron and Ed, both of Mountain Home, and his mother, Joan Swearingen also in Mountain Home. Jim was preceded in death by his father, Earl Swearingen.

On Jim's behalf, heartfelt thanks go to all the wonderful staff at MSTI for the thoughtful, gentle care they provided.