Marshall Jordan “Mark” Swindall, 85, formerly of Chilton County, passed away Nov. 9 at Oaks on Parkwood in Bessemer.

Swindall was born Nov. 18, 1927, in Birmingham, the son of the late Marshall Franklin Nix and the late Lenora Gordon Swindall.

He served his country as a private in the U.S. Third Army of Occupation in Germany.

He retired from Alabama Power Company after more than 39 years of service and moved to his beloved “weedpatch” near Thorsby.

There, he and his wife developed many friends among the members of the Clanton First Baptist Church and Clanton United Methodist Church. The family wishes to express its appreciation to these treasured friends for their many acts of kindness on his behalf.

Swindall was a man with unusual skills who built homes and could figure out how to repair anything mechanical.

He attended a community college to earn a “master welder” certification at the age of 72.

He had no fear of heights and was still climbing scaffolding in his 80s.

There was never a baby’s silky head he did not want to rub or a dog’s ear he wouldn’t stop to scratch. His last canine companion was a clumsy mutt with huge feet who showed up at his workshop one day and never left him.

He delighted in watching her chase alongside his farm buggie.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Ann G. Swindall; daughters, Pam Lester (Mark) and Sharon L. Swindall; granddaughter, Elizabeth Lester; brother-in-law, James Graham (Mona); sister-in-law, Chris Swindall and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Owen P. Swindall; sister, Bernice Meehan; brother, Newton “Gene” Swindall.

A visitation was held at Martin Funeral Home from noon-1 p.m. Nov. 11.

Services were held Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Matt DeBord officiating.

Interment followed in Martin Memorial Cemetery in Clanton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the building fund of the First Baptist Church of Clanton.

Martin Funeral Home directing.

You may leave online condolences on the guest registry for the family at www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com.