Rev. James C. Switzer, Sr. of Lake City, Florida, went to be with his Lord at the Lake City Medical Center on Saturday, September 26, 2009, at the age of 90.

Born on July 21, 1919 in Bath, New York, Rev. Switzer was a son of James Melvin and Frances (Eveland) Switzer. The first of many great accomplishments for Rev. Switzer was his marriage to Irene G. Wright on December 15, 1940. The couple were married in Irene's home located in Trumansburg.

Rev. Switzer graduated from the Practical Bible School in Binghamton, NY after which he served as a Missionary, Baptist Church Planter. In doing this, he pastored fifteen different churches. Rev. Switzer also joined FBHM (Fellowship of Baptist for Home Missions) in 1951 and in 1985 he joined BMNA (Baptist Missions of North America). From 1974 to 1987, Rev. Switzer served as printer for FBHM/BMNA. He was active in forming BCP (Baptist Church Planters) in 1990 of which he was still a member.

In addition to his parents, Rev. Switzer was preceded in death by his wife, Irene on February 29, 2004. He is survived by seven children, Thurlow J. (Lynda) Switzer of Gaithersburg, MD, Sarian I. (Merle) Vunk of Lake City, FL, Bonnie S. (Donald) Ring of Watertown, NY, Alice F. (Thomas) Bream of Mechanicsburg, PA, Melvin C. Switzer of Lake City, FL, James C. (Sheryl) Switzer II of Glen Aubrey, NY, and CaitlinRae T. McKinney; 32 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren; one brother, Curtis Switzer of Trumansburg, NY; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will be present to receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2009, at Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg.

Services will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3rd, at Calvary Baptist Church, 5 Bradley St., Trumansburg, with the Rev. Thurlow J. Switzer officiating. Prayers of Committal will follow at Grove Cemetery.

The family asks those interested in making a contribution in Rev. Switzer's memory to kindly consider Calvary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 413, Trumansburg, NY 14886.