MT. PLEASANT – Marvin D. Swaringen Jr., 78, died on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007 at Hospice House of Cabarrus County, eight years after a diagnosis of advanced lung cancer.

M.D. is survived by his wife and exceptional caregiver of nearly 54 years, Miriam Kluttz Swaringen, of the home; two daughters, Elizabeth A. Swaringen, and husband, John E. White, of Pittsboro, and Jane S. Cauthen, and husband, Keith, of Mt. Pleasant; one son, John M. Swaringen and significant other, Bonnie Scott, of Centerville, Mass.; three grandchildren, Jess Swaringen of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., and Katie and Ben Cauthen of Mt. Pleasant; one step-granddaughter, Lori C. Furr, and husband, Philip, and four step-great grandchildren, Rylee, Jacob, Caden and Mason Furr, all of Mt. Pleasant.

In addition, M.D. is survived by five sisters, Frances S. Brown, Carolyn S. Rauch (Sidney) and Becky S. Barringer (Harvey), all of Concord; Maxine S. Mast (Jim) of Clemmons, and Linda S. Courts of Virginia Beach, Va.; and three brothers, Buford R. “Burr” Swaringen of Mt. Pleasant; David M. Swaringen (Terrie) of Concord, and Ben M. Swaringen (Brenda) of Lake Junaluska, NC, and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Service: A celebration of M.D.’s life will begin at 2 p.m. on Thursday at St. James Reformed Church, corner of College and Walnut streets in Mt. Pleasant. Rev. John Bigelow will officiate, and burial will be in the church cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Concord Veterans Color/Honor Guard sponsored by the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 27.

Visitation: 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, s at Gordon Funeral Home, 8559 Cook Street, Mt. Pleasant, (704) 436-9915.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in M.D.’s memory be made to St. James Reformed Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 447, Mt. Pleasant, NC, 28124, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Boy Scout Camp Road, Kannapolis, NC, 28081.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralhome.com.