Kent Robert Switala

"Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer."   

Kent R. Switala passed away suddenly October 17, 2022.  He was 57 years young.
   
Kent was born on October 7, 1965 in Boston Massachusetts.  He was the youngest of three children born to Dr. Robert Switala and Dr. Gillian Switala.  Like his older brothers, he was born in a naval hospital while his father served during the Vietnam War.   He spent his infancy in Boston and Yonkers, NY, before the family eventually settled in Central Valley, NY.  Once he planted his roots, he spent nearly his entire life in Orange County, New York.  

Kent was raised and educated in the Catholic tradition, attending Sacred Heart Elementary School, John S. Burke Catholic High School, and Niagara University.   The Switala family were members of the St Patrick’s parish in Central Valley.  As a child, Kent developed his lifelong devotion to athletics, and lived for baseball and football seasons.   He played youth baseball, basketball and football, and spent all of his afternoons organizing backyard pick-up games with his brothers Keith and Kurt, and his many friends from the neighborhood.  If his friends weren’t around, he would pass the time playing board games, and loved electric football and Strat-o-Matic baseball.  He carried that love of sport into high school, where he also played baseball, ran cross country and competed in track and field.   Kent welcomed another roommate while in high school, when his beloved cousin Al moved from Buffalo to be with the family.  Kent made many lifelong friends during those formative years, many of which remained his close daily confidants.  His friends from third grade remained his friends today. 

Kent left Orange County only once, to attend college in Buffalo, NY.   Still, he remained surrounded and supported by his family, as his grandparents, aunt, uncle and his other cousins were now close at hand.  He continued his love for sport, and joined the University’s tennis team.  His father, daughter and he would eventually share that lifelong love for tennis.  Once again, Kent made close college friends who remained part of his inner circle.  Upon graduation, Kent returned to Orange County and tried his hand at some jobs he didn’t care for (finance), some that he loved (sports writing), but eventually wound up in a career in law enforcement.     

Upon graduation from the police academy, Kent spent 20 years serving in various capacities as a member of the Orange County Sherriff’s Department. During that time he lived in Otisville NY, where he raised his three children – Beth, Anthony and Caitlyn.   He was a loving father, coach and mentor.  They also shared their home with two companion German Shepards, Spike and Buzzie.  He liked classic rock, but Kent’s single defining characteristic was sports Fanatic.  He would travel across the country for a chance to watch his Vikings play football.  He lived and died by wins and losses.  The family would spend most of their summer vacations in Georgia, visiting Kent’s parents at their new retirement home.  His son Anthony would also eventually move to Greenboro for college.  Moreover, Kent was a loving uncle (and sometimes big brother) to his many nieces and nephews, and went out of his way to make sure every member of his family and friends felt special, unique, loved and important.  

After he retired from police work, Kent worked locally for the Home Depot Company for a number of years, before he retired full time.  He also stayed active by umpiring high school baseball and basketball.  His kids became adults, left for college and started their own careers.  It was during this time Kent fell in love with his wife Jean Marie.   They were married in March 2015.   After the passing of his mother, Kent and Jeanie moved south to the warmer environs of Reynolds Plantation in Greenboro Georgia in 2020.  They helped care for his father, and dreamed of their own retirement on the shore of Lake Oconee.  Jeanie remained at his side in sickness and in health.  Kent was blessed to spend his final years doing what he loved most, discussing baseball and football at his father’s side.  He was surrounded by a lifetime of love.  He forever remains in our hearts as a true, giving and loving friend. 
 
Kent is predeceased by his mother, Dr. Gillian R Switala.  He is survived by his wife Jean M. Switala, his son Anthony Switala, his daughter Caitlyn Switala, his father Dr. Robert G Switala, his brother Keith A. Switala (and his wife Mary), his brother Kurt T. Switala (and his wife Mary), and his numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, including most lovingly Bradley, Joshua, Dylan, Brooke and Tyler Switala. He was a loving stepfather to John, Zoe, Brett and Zachary.

A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church, 6341 Lake Oconee Parkway, Greensboro, GA 30642 with Father Michael Silloway officiating.  McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.   

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