It is with overwhelming sadness we announce the home going of Gary Keith Swanner, a devoted Christian, husband, father and grandfather. He lived life well and the desire of his heart was to leave a legacy of faith and trust in our Lord for his family and friends to witness. This he has accomplished.

For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 2 Corinthians 5: 7-9.

Gary departed this earth for heaven on Tuesday, May 2, 2023  at 6:15 a.m. at the Hospice Health Care Center in Little Rock, Arkansas with his loving wife of 38 years by his side. His celebration of life will be held at Kilpatrick Funeral Home West Monroe, Louisiana on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.. Visitation will be held Friday, May 5, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Hasley Cemetery.

Gary was born September 4, 1953 in Monroe, Louisiana and received his heavenly reward at the age of 69. Gary loved the Lord and his family most of all. He and Jynda had the opportunity to travel the world extensively and create memories most could only dream of. His knowledge and love of music from all genres was incredible. Pandora was playing all over the house. He was a man of strength yet tenderness. If you had a need, he would do his best to meet it and 99% of the time would be successful. He was a man of the highest integrity and his word was his bond. Gary was retired from Ford Motor Company and DeLage Landen, both jobs closely related and ones which provided many interesting stories over a career extending almost 50 years.

During his last couple of months friends from far and near came to visit. He often remarked that he had no idea how many people loved him and prayed for him daily. He said several times to family members “Do you know how rich I am?” referring to a boundless wealth of friends. He was so blessed by each one. His life, his love, and his legacy have impacted so many and will remain a constant reminder to honor our Lord so that when we are called to our Heaven as Gary said “I’ll be standing at the gate waiting to welcome you home.”

Gary leaves a huge void in the lives of his wife, Jynda Geiger Swanner; son, Eric Branch; daughter Dayna (Joshua) Gotlieb; and grandsons Solomon, Isaac and Abraham Gotlieb, all of Conway,  Arkansas. Even though Eric and Dayna were not his biological children they were most definitely children of his heart and he was “Dad” and could not been prouder of that title. He is also survived by his brother, Bobby Swanner (Barbara); and nephews Michael (Amy), Kenneth (Tess), and Brent (Aimee) Swanner, all of West Monroe.

Even though job relocations had taken them all over the United States the past 31 years, West Monroe was home.

Online condolences may be sent to www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

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