Jackson Connor Swartz

Mr. Jackson Connor Swartz, 16, of Sanford, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, July 13, 2023 in Harnett County.

Jackson Connor Swartz, 16, of Sanford, Harnett County, NC shed his earthly body on July 13, 2023. Born in Langhorne PA, on September 28, 2006, to parents Julianne and Glen Swartz, he was a light to all who knew him.

Jackson is survived by his parents, grandparents Joanne and William Kane, Kathy and Rob Warrell, great grandmother Sylvia Riley, great grandfather Charles Hesser, his sisters Courtney and Breanna Swartz, brother Taylor Byrd, many aunts, uncles, cousins and his canine best friend Harper Jane.  He is now reunited with his dog Charlie Girl and all of his family who went before him.

The family moved to NC in 2012.  He played baseball in Broadway where he made his first friends in NC.  Later he played baseball, basketball and soccer at the Western Harnett Youth Recreation Center. He was a prior student of Highland Elementary and Middle Schools where he played soccer.

Jackson currently attended Western Harnett High School, where he was a rising junior, the kicker for the varsity football team and a soccer player. He was so proud to wear #99 on the football team and would often be seen walking the side lines and encouraging his teammates to pick their heads up and keep pushing.

Jackson loved animals, especially dogs. He was involved with canine rescue and visited local shelters many times, saving the lives of countless dogs since 2015. He was an avid supporter of the military and all things veteran related. He wanted to attend college and become a firefighter.

Jackson loved his family and friends. The one thing that has been said over and over again is how many people he helped through their trials and tribulations. How he was always there to listen and offer support. He was sunshine on the darkest days, often lightening up a mood with some crazy antics or punny jokes.

He enjoyed watching sports with his mom. They both shared a love for the Philly sports teams. He followed the Phillies, Eagles and 76ers.

He loved his annual Disney trips. His favorite character was Figment. He enjoyed reuniting with far away family and friends on those trips. He recently ran a 5k in Disney where he donned a special shirt in honor of his Aunt Jessie and bonus mom Noel, who are breast cancer survivors. He was planning to run the 5k, 10k and half marathon in November.

He loved the beach and visiting his Grammy and Poppy's beach house in Wildwood, NJ. He'd take long bike rides to the light house. Many mornings he would long board along the streets by the beach. Or walk to the local courts and play basketball. He didn't know a stranger and made friends wherever he went.

He loved music, playing basketball in the driveway and weight lifting. He rarely went anywhere without a hat, hoodie and headphones. He was the kindest soul. His smile was contagious. He brightened every room just by being in it. 

There will be a candlelight vigil outside the football field of Western Harnett High School on July 16, 2023 beginning at 8:15pm. His family asks that you wear his favorite colors, red, white and/or blue, or Western Harnett gear. Please also bring a candle in one of those colors to light for him.

His funeral services will be Wednesday July 19, 2023 at Crossroads Ministries, located at 107 Milton Avenue, Broadway NC 27505 beginning at 6:00pm. Please don't forget to wear the red, white and/or blue colors to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jackson's name to Mission 22 at https://mission22.com/

Jackson is loved to infinity and beyond. Never forgotten. Forever missed.  Feel him when the rain touches your face. Look for him in the stars. His love and light will continue to shine from there.  #Swartzie99 #Forever16

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. Jackson Connor Swartz in your thoughts and prayers. 

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Sanford, North Carolina.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.