Larry D. Swing

Larry D. Swing age 74 of Bonners Ferry, ID passed away peacefully on Dec 15th in Kootenia, ID Services to be held later and will be announced.

He was born on Jan 3, 1942, in Worland Wyoming to Glen and Betty (Barngrover) Swing. He grew up on the family farm with his sister Lois (Halsey), where they helped raise cattle and crops including sugar beets, barley, alfalfa & corn. His love for mechanics and fabricating began on the farm as well as during his time helping his uncle Harry in the oil field. Larry was active in FFA, 4H and enjoyed working on cars. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy at the age of 18. He was stationed in San Diego, CA on the destroyer USS Wiltsey as a Machinist's Mate in the engine room. He was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer 3rd class in 1964. While in San Diego he met the love of his life, Judy (Cook) Swing from Bonners Ferry. They were married on Sept. 12, 1965, in a double wedding with Judy's twin sister June and David Burnett. Larry and Judy lived in Worland for a year and then moved to Casper where Larry and two partners bought a Big A Auto Parts Store. He sold his part of the business in 1971 and moved to Bonners Ferry. He and his brother-in-law, Larry Pinkerton, bought out Glauner Marine & Sporting goods and Larry's Sports Center was born. They sold motorcycles and snowmobiles, guns, fishing tackle & a variety of other sporting goods. He later bought "Pink" out and operated the store until 1982. Following the sale of the store Larry drove a variety of trucks including a '69 Peterbilt log truck for Beloit Mendenhall and cement mixer, lowboy & dump trucks for BF Redi-Mix. He bought his own logging truck & operated it for a year and a half. Realizing he didn't enjoy being an owner/operator that much, he sold the truck & focused his energy on the repair/fabrication/restoration shop at his home. There he repaired & restored numerous cars, trucks and old tractors for hire or sale. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 51, he began restoring antique toys. This led Larry to be featured on the cover of Toy Trucker Magazine with a toy logging truck that he had restored and customized. This was not the first time he was in a magazine. During his high school days Larry, his dad, his chemistry teacher and several classmates were featured in a full two page display of "The Saturday Evening Post" showing rocketry experiments.

Larry is survived by his wife Judy of 51 years, son Ken (Tammy) Swing, their children Tyler & Kaylie, daughter Shelly Swing-Polzin (Aaron Polzin), their children Peyton & Kailyn, sister Lois (Swing) Halsey & Mike LeMaster.

He was preceded in death by his parents Glen & Betty Swing, sister Karen Swing, grandparents B.K & Martha Swing, Clair & Stella Barngrover.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.