C. Neal Swisher was born March 4, 1932 to Paul and Katherine Sawatzky Swisher in rural Noble Co. Oklahoma and went to be with Jesus April 18, 2021 in Linwood Village, Cushing, Oklahoma. His home until recently was Moab, Utah. Neal was the 2nd of six boys and no girls. Being born during the Great Depression and raised in poverty, molded him early in life to be a hard worker but always willing to share with the less fortunate. He was educated in one-room rural schools until he started high school in Perry, OK. Then he attended Cushing H.S. and Ripley where he graduated in 1949. His favorite teacher was Mrs. Rainwater and was known as her pet. After H.S., he worked in the oil fields until he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as an artillery gunner in South Korea. After an honorable discharge, he returned to the oil fields and later operated earth moving equipment in Utah. He married Mava Gibson in Utah and Paula Kay Swisher was born to this union in 1968.
Neal was known as a compassionate giver who consistently gave, but he kept his giving secret. He especially had a burden for homeless and fatherless children and Jewish Christians in Israel.
Neal loved the outdoors and felt closest to God when he went on long 4-wheeler excursions into the high desert wilderness around Moab, Utah where he would enjoy the wonder of God’s creation. On a clear sunny day, he could see beauty for a hundred miles most people never get to experience. These views were embedded in memory until he began to envision a far greater site, his eternal heavenly home. Now he has entered that land of incomparable beauty.
Neal is survived by Paula Johnson of Utah; grandchildren, Zac and Demi and several great grandchildren; brothers, Wes of San Diego, CA, Burke of Colorado and Texas, Stan of Cushing, Phil of Cushing. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Gene, sisters-in-law Carol Ward Swisher, Wanda Ward Swisher, Betty Swisher and many friends.
Arrangements are being handled by the Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Cushing and the Spanish Valley Mortuary in Moab, UT.
