Robert "Bob" Henry Swanzy

Robert “Bob” Swanzy Jr., 96 of Greenwood, Mississippi passed away peacefully at the VA Home in Kosciusko on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023. He was surrounded by his grandson and VA nursing staff who cared for him over the past year.

 Bob was born on December 15 , 1926, in Sidon, Mississippi to Robert Henry Swanzy Sr. and Lula Swanzy (Pickett). Bob was part of the “Greatest Generation” serving during WWII in the United States Navy as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class. His time in the Navy sparked his love for aviation and he spent many years flying various crop-dusting planes over his beloved Mississippi Delta, building and flying his own 1947 Navion plane across the country for various air shows and fly-ins across America and the Caribbean. Ever the adventurer, he would tell friends and family about his daredevil flights under the Mississippi River bridges just to see if he could make it or his low altitude flyovers to pester his sister Baby while she hung the laundry on the line in Sidon.

He loved flying his Navion and flew with his family and fellow pilot friends from the Greenwood Airport well into his 90’s. He was a member of the American Navion Society and The American Legion. Bob was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin and a beloved neighbor and friend. Throughout his life, he always worked hard for his country and home state. First as a WWII veteran and then working in local government as a County Engineer. He worked on many roads and bridges from LeFlore to Adams County and several bridges have his name on their plaques. He could always bring a smile to people with his sharp wit and jovial banter and loved reading anything and everything on history, the south, the Wild West, and aviation. Stubborn as an ox, but fair and kind he always appreciated time well spent with friends and family.

 He loved Mississippi State football and the wonderful food of the Delta, often choosing to eat his dessert first in the last year of his life because as he said it best “I can eat whatever I want at this age!” Bob will never be forgotten and deeply missed. He lived his life fully and with an adventurous and spirited energy we all should embrace. He is survived by his daughters Karen and Allyn Swanzy, grandchildren, Jerrod Barner, Wesley Hunt, Rachel Hunt, great-grandchildren, and beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father Robert Henry Swanzy Jr., his mother Lula Swanzy, his wife Nancy Jo, his sisters, Pickett Lea, Floyce Rule Hathcock “Baby Sister”, Marsh Marie Chenault, Millie (Mildred) Longtain and his son Brad Swanzy.  

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 8, 2023, 3:00–5:00 pm at Greenwood Delta Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be 10 A.M. Monday, October 9, with Dr. Scott Wright officiating.  Military graveside honors will be provided by American Legion Post 29.

Greenwood Delta Funeral Home (www.greenwooddeltafh.com) is in charge of the arrangements.

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