James “Bud” Walton Switzer, 80, of Roanoke, went peacefully to heaven to be with the Lord and his family that have passed.
Bud was born September 6, 1940 in Craig County. He was the son of the late Robert Lee Switzer and Nellie Crouch Switzer. Bud passed on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Carillon Hospital. He was raised in Craig and Botetourt County and was a member of the Williamson Road Church of the Brethren and also attended Gospel Baptist Church, Cloverdale.
Bud served his country in the US Army from 1963-1966 and was stationed in Korea. He retired with 44 years from the United States Postal Service. He enjoyed playing softball in his younger years, known to everyone as “Big Bird” and going to NASCAR Races with his son and friends. He was also an avid player of the Virginia lottery, and was known as “007” due to winning on a particular scratch-off ticket.
He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Lee Switzer and Nellie Crouch Switzer; grandparents, James Mack Switzer and Maggie Brizendine Switzer and Robert Lee Crouch and Lucy Markham Crouch; father- and mother-in-law, Arthur S. Clark and Margie Tolley Clark; brother and sister-in-law, Wallace “Sonny” Larry Switzer and Hazel Trainer Switzer; sister-in-law, Debbie Clark; niece, Margie S. Ryder and numerous aunts and uncles.
Bud is survived and will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 55 years, Doris Clark Switzer; his son and daughter-in-law, Mark Switzer and Anne Simone of Severn, Md.; his daughter, Lisa Persinger of Rocky Mount; and his grandchildren, that were the light of his life and he enjoyed spending time with, Jakob Walton Persinger, Nicholas Switzer, James Matthew Switzer, and Olivia Persinger; brother and sister-in-law, Leroy “Butch” and Cheryl Switzer, Harrisonburg; sister and brother-in-law, Sandra “Sandy” and Charles “Charlie” Ryder Sr. Warm Springs; brother-in-law, Cecil “Johnny” Clark, Lexington; nieces and nephews, Dr. David Switzer and wife Tina, Suzanne Ostling and husband Kris, Eric Huffman and wife Crystal, Tammy Varela and husband Keith, Arthur Clark, and numerous other relatives.
Funeral services will be held “drive-in” style and mindful of social distancing at the Buchanan Chapel of Botetourt Funeral Home on Thursday, January 14, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Benjamin Lockhart and Pastor Wayne Wyatt officiating. Interment will be private. Online condolences may be made at www.botetourtfuneralhome.com.
