Swanger T. Gibson Jr. passed away at the age of 82 on August 10, 2024, in Dayton, Ohio.
Born on June 19, 1942, in Birmingham, Alabama, he lived a life marked by innovation, style, and a giving spirit. A renowned figure as a graduate of Roosevelt High School class of 1962, he excelled in football ranked as the #2 Quarterback in the state of Indiana. Swanger joined the Air Force for a brief period not long after high school.
Swanger married the love of his life Jannett Hall and had a son. Swanger later channeled his passion into achieving an associate degree from the Chicago Institute of Technology in Drafting, showing his enduring love for drawing and artistry. He designed buildings, bridges, and community complexes as a Draftsman.
He later worked for Chevron Oil in New Orleans as a draftsperson. His professional journey was as diverse as it was impressive, reflected in his entrepreneurial ventures in the realms of fashion design and cosmetology. He designed clothes worn by Nate Evans of the Temptations.
He was the Pageant Coordinator for the Ms. Black Gary Beauty Pageant in the 1970’s. One of his most memorable contributions was orchestrating as the Pageant Coordinator for the 1970 Ms.
Black Indiana Beauty Pageant, leaving a distinguished mark on the cultural fabric of the time. Swanger loved being around children. He worked for the Boy Scouts, teaching boys how to build and race soapbox cars, as he did as a child, with his older brother Alfonza.
His last endeavor, which he enjoyed immensely, was being a school bus driver for the Hobart School Bus Transportation. He really enjoyed interacting with the children. Swanger’s legacy is cherished by his loving family, including his son Adoniss (Vivica) Gibson; his siblings, Barbara Smith, John (Roseline) Gibson, Tyrone Gibson, Janathan Gibson, and Ethel (Joseph) Stockdale; and his eight grandchildren, who will miss him deeply, Derrell Jenkins, Adoniss (Brooke) Gibson Jr.
, Austin (Carly) Gibson, Victoria Montgomery, Ayana Silvera, Jelani Gibson, Alexandria Montgomery, and Alivia Montgomery. Swanger's life was further enriched by the joy of eight great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends. He now joins his predeceased parents, Swanger T.
Gibson Sr and Myrtis Gibson, and his siblings, Alfonza Gibson, and Patricia Pate, in eternal rest. Remembered by many for his intelligence on many different subject matters, teaching and sharing of knowledge approach to life and work. Swanger T.
Gibson Jr. will forever be in the hearts of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. His creative legacy and passion for beauty will continue to inspire future generations.
There will be a memorial gathering at The Chateau 530 W 61st Ave Merrillville, IN 46410 on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 2-4 pm. Services in care of Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home in Dayton, OH. John 14:1-4: "Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
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