Kelly Dennis Swift's Obituary
Our dad, Dennis (Kelly, KD, Denny) was born in May of 1935 and went home to be with the Lord in August of 2024. He was the son of Della and Kelly Swift and was born into a home with three big sisters (Mae, Evelyn and Nell) who loved and cared for him as if he was their own. When he was a small child, his sisters started their own families, and he was blessed with three nephews who became his best friends and beloved brothers (Don, Dean and Terry).
After graduating from high school at Hume Fogg, he went to Tennessee Tech University. On weekends, when he would come home and go to church with his parents, he became aware of a girl who sat with his sister and her family on Sunday mornings. This “beautiful dark-haired girl”, Meriem Campbell, became his wife in 1956 and they recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.
Dad and Mom had 3 children, Denette, Kristy and Scott. They raised their family at Dalewood Methodist Church and were active members and leaders at the church. After moving to Goodlettsville in the 1990’s they became a part of the Goodlettsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church and again became an integral part of the congregation.
Dad’s career was at Avco Aerostructures. He worked there until retirement and established friendships that lasted his entire life. After retirement he returned to college to complete his bachelor’s degree at Trevecca University. He then went to work at Forest Hills Methodist Church as a Business Manager.
Some of Dad’s greatest work was accomplished in retirement. He volunteered with Project Cure in their work to provide medical supplies to underserved communities and nations. He partnered with his brother-in-law Leon and the Tarahumara foundation to bring fresh water to desolate communities in Mexico. He was a Christian Clown and performed for church events, nursing homes, hospitals and children’s parties, delighting everyone with his balloon art and magic tricks. He became Santa Claus in full regalia every Christmas and brought joy to hospitals and nursing home residents. He also greeted his grandchildren and neighborhood kids at Christmas by visiting personally with each one and making them feel they had really met Santa. One rare snowy Christmas morning, he dressed as Frosty the Snowman and greeted everyone as they arrived at the house for Christmas!
Dad pursued oil painting in his 80’s and painted numerous pictures for the Children’s Department at his church. He loved to paint flowers, birds and Jesus. He also made small photocopies of his paintings of Jesus and handed them out to strangers and friends alike. In his words, “these are for anyone who needs to smile and know about Jesus.”
Dad’s generosity was unending. He befriended a gentleman named Ray who had nothing but a government apartment, and took him to doctor’s visits, to church, out to eat and provided groceries for him. He couldn’t resist helping anyone, whether they were a friend or a stranger, and never took anything in return, except the satisfaction of bringing joy to someone’s life.
Some of his favorite activities were keeping his large yard beautifully maintained, spending time at home with family, shopping at Hobby Lobby, grocery shopping, couponing, eating every variety of chocolate ice cream available, and watching westerns and Fox News.
Dad is survived by our mom, Meriem, his children and son in law Tab, grandchildren, Meghann (Josh), Sydney, Cory (Shelby), Ethan, Ryan (Jody), Nick (Brekhna), Tyler (Allison), Karlie, Jill (Josh); great grandchildren, Soren, Averie, Raleigh, Kelly and Addley, with a sixth to arrive in January.
Our dad will forever live in our hearts and our families. We rejoice that he is in Heaven with Jesus….and those he loved who went before him.
The family cordially invites relatives and friends to visit on Monday, September 9, 2024, from ten o'clock in the morning until the time of the funeral service at twelve o'clock noon at Goodlettsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 226 South Main Street in Goodlettsville.
What’s your fondest memory of Kelly?
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Share a story where Kelly's kindness touched your heart.
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