Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jackson Durham Bareford, Sr., U.S. Army, age 79, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Swainsboro, after an extended battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Plans for a memorial service are underway and will be announced at a later date.
Jack was born August 10, 1946, in Richmond, Virginia, to Andrew Jackson and Dorothy Landers Bareford. He grew up in Tappahannock, Virginia where he spent many happy days playing baseball and fishing and crabbing along the banks of the Rappahannock River. Jack attended Virginia Military Institute and graduated alongside his Brother Rats as part of the Class of 1968 (Good to Me!).
Jack proudly served his country in the United States Army Field Artillery for 26 years. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War (101st Airborne Division,1969-1970) and the Gulf War (24th Infantry Division Artillery, 1990-1991). Throughout his service, including assignments in North Carolina, South Carolina, Germany, Georgia, and Virginia, Jack was highly respected as a dedicated leader and admired for his integrity, strong work ethic, and genuine care for his troops. In the years following his retirement from the military, Jack served his community as Executive Director of the Claxton Chamber of Commerce; Director of the Georgia Rural Economic Development Center; and most recently as President of the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Development Authority. A loving father and devoted husband, Jack liked nothing more than spending time with his family and beloved dogs, Pickles and Olive. Mr. Bareford is preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Gene and Danny Bareford.
Mr. Bareford is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia Swift Bareford; sons, Jack Bareford, Jr. (Ashley) of Charleston, SC, Lee Bareford (Jill) of Savannah and Taylor Bareford (Robin) of Atlanta; grandchildren, Sam, Charlott, and Alexandria; and nieces, Mary Danielle and Lisa Marie Bareford.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made in Jack’s memory to: Disabled American Veterans, P. O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.
