Jerre Franklin Swink

September 2, 1918 - January 15, 2015

Jerre Franklin Swink, 96, of Rocky Ford died Jan. 15, 2015, at Pioneer Health Care Center. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Community Presbyterian Church in Rocky Ford. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery in Rocky Ford. Visitation at Ford-Ustick Funeral Home will be 4 to 6 p.m. Friday. Jerre was born Sept. 2, 1918, in Rocky Ford to Ralph and Helen Swink. He was raised in Rocky Ford and was the great-grandson of George W. Swink, the founder of Rocky Ford. Jerre graduated from Rocky Ford High School in 1937 and Colorado A&M (now CSU) in 1941. He took his master's degree in horticulture and agronomy in 1964. He was employed by American Crystal Sugar Co. for 13 years and by the CSU Arkansas Valley Research Center in Rocky Ford for 22 years until his retirement in 1980. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army Third Infantry Division in North Africa, Sicily and Europe. He was a member of Community Presbyterian Church for 87 years. He served on the Session and was Clerk of the Session. He served on Rocky Ford Chamber of Commerce board, United Fund board, Rocky Ford Rotary Club, was a Boy Scout leader and a 68 year member of Rocky Ford Elks Lodge No. 1147. He is Past Master and Secretary of St. John's Lodge AF & AM No. 75 in Rocky Ford, Past Wise Master of the Southern Colorado Chapter of Rose Croix, held the rank of 32° KCCH, was a Past Potentate of the Al Kaly Shrine, belonged to the York Rite Bodies, and was a member of the Grand Masters Club of Colorado. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Mildredjeane (Midge), daughters Jeannie (Wayne) Johannes, Cheri (Ray Bonine) Dillon, grandchildren Amy (Nate) Hoffmeyer, Karen (Ken) Geer and John (Ginny) Williams, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Jerre was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Olen and Helen Fisher and grandson Troy Epps. Memorials may be given to the Community Presbyterian Church in Rocky Ford or the Shriner Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607. Condolences may be made at www.fordustick.com. Ford-Ustick Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.