Jim Swofford and his second wife Betty attend the 2013 Oktoberfest celebration at the Festhalle.

When Oktoberfest opens Wednesday, a familiar face will be missing.

Jim Swofford, 98, who helped start the annual German Festival in 1982, died Saturday. He’ll also be remembered for his military service and influence on students as a teacher.

“He thought Cullman needed to have an event and recognize its heritage,” said former Cullman County Museum director Elaine Fuller. “He came every year and did the Polka right until he was 96.”

Swofford arrived each year for the festival with a hat, decorated in buttons from the festival, and lederhosen (knee-length leather breeches) and led dance lines, singing and encouraged festival-goers to learn the “Chicken Dance.”

“I was one of his great admirers. He was just a great man and he used his talent and enthusiasm to teach and encourage the community to celebrate its heritage,” Fuller said.

He was born in North Carolina in 1920, but also lived in his youth in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In 1941 he graduated from Wofford College, and entered the U.S. Army, serving for three years in the Pacific theatre during World War II. He later served in Korea before retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1963.

After obtaining his Master’s degree and teaching certificate from the University of Alabama, he taught both German and American history for 20 years at Cullman High School, retiring in 1985. He served as Burgermeister in 1986 for Oktoberfest and started the Cullman High School German Band, even though he did not play an instrument, according to his obituary.

Visitation is set for Wednesday, October 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, followed by services at noon. A private graveside service will follow at Welti Cumberland Presbyterian Church.