Garrett Swindal

GARRETT SWINDAL, 88 After a lengthy illness from Alzherimer’s Disease, Garrett Swindal died peacefully at his home in Bartow on Saturday, February 6, 2010. Garrett was born in Newberry , FL in 1921. He attended the University of Florida for one year before serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during W.W. II. He graduated from Florida State University where he met and married his college sweetheart. They moved to Bartow to 1950. Following a management career in the phosphate industry, Swindal turned his lifelong love of gardening and landscaping into his vocation when he was hired by the City of Bartow as Environmental Director. He was noted for planting Oak trees on city property, and landscaping parks, roadsides and cemeteries. He was an active member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry. Swindal served his community as a Boy Scouts Leader, the Bartow Kiwanis Club and Florida Audubon Society. He was a Life Member of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs & Bartow Garden Club, the FSU Alumni Assoc. Garrett is preceded in death by a son, Garry. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Audrey; a son, Tom & wife Jill of Bartow; and two daughters, Susan & Bob Napier of Palm Bay and Angela & Vaughn Hughes of St. Augustine. He had 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Bartow on Thursday, February 11 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be sent to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church or to Good Shepherd Hospice of Lakeland. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the Poppy Team of Good Shepherd Hospice for their loving care.