James “Jim” Swofford

Year Inducted: 2019

James “Jim” Swofford grew up in North Wilkesboro. He is a 1955 graduate of Wilkes Central High School and graduated from Duke University in 1960.

Swofford’s family moved to North Wilkesboro from Winston- Salem, NC in 1940 when his father opened Wilkes Tire Store. Throughout his childhood Swofford developed a love of sports, and in 1954 was selected to play football in the NC vs. SC Shrine Bowl. His senior year of high school he was named to the N.C. High School All-Star team and was offered a full scholarship to play football for Duke University, playing in the 1958 Orange Bowl.

Following Swofford’s graduation from Duke University, he became a United States Marine Corps Officer. Swofford was commissioned a lieutenant and reported to Marine Officers Basic School at Quantico, VA. He was trained as an infantry officer and served at Camp Lejune and in the Caribbean. During this period, Swofford was involved in operations in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and several times in Cuba. After Swofford’s tour in the marines, he returned home to Wilkes and joined his brother and mother in managing the successful business, Swofford’s Incorporated, following the death of his father.

Upon returning to Wilkes, Swofford served as local Republican Party chairman. He campaigned for the party and served as the Wilkes County Chairman for James Holshouser and helped elect him North Carolina Governor in 1972. Swofford has also served on many boards of organizations, one in particular being the North Carolina Zoological Authority which he is a founding member. He served and chaired on the council for twenty years executing the initial development and building of the NC Zoological Park in Asheboro.

In the mid-1960’s Swofford became interested in growing new business. Throughout the years, he and his brother along with their partners became involved with building several businesses and franchises such as Hardee’s, Microtel Hotel and Suites, Barbecue Lodge Restaurant, Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery, and SJS Development Group, LLC.

Swofford is known for being generous with his time in the service of others. He is a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in North Wilkesboro where he has served as a choir member, teacher of the men’s bible class, Chairman of the Methodist Men, Chairman of the Church Council, and in recent years as a certified lay speaker. He is a member of the North Wilkesboro Rotary Club, Marine Corps League, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.