EDMOND, Okla. — A cherished husband and beloved father, grandpa and great grandpa, John Richard “Dick” Swope was born September 22, 1926 in Vincennes, Indiana to Ralph and Ruth (Westall) Swope. He passed away at home on August 15, 2019, at 92 years old surrounded by his loving family.
Dick attended grade school in Lawrenceville, Illinois and later moved to Salem, Illinois where he graduated high school in 1944. After high school, he joined the Navy. Dick proudly served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. In 1947 he married Jerri Fitzgerald, and shared nearly 72 years of marriage raising 3 children, Constance Marie, John Raymond, and Paul Allen.
Dick was a field supervisor for Phillips Petroleum Company for nearly 38 years before his retirement in 1985. He is a member of the American Legion and Philresters Club. He was also a member of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Dick was a pilot and enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, bowling, trains and playing games. In his retirement he volunteered at the Oklahoma Science Museum maintaining the model train display.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Ruth (Westall) Swope; sisters, Wanda Jean Litherland and Mary Ellen Pinkstaff. He is survived by his wife, Jerri Swope, of the home; daughter and son in law, Connie and Marvin Johnston of Chattanooga, Tennessee; son and daughter in law, John and Helen Swope of Norman, Oklahoma; son and daughter in law, Paul and Adelina Swope of Valley Center, Kansas. Grandchildren, Kristi (Johnston) and Matt Brown, Jennifer (Swope) Mott, Chelsea (Johnston) and Sean Groer, Nicole (Johnston) and Scott Key, Megan (Swope) and Eric Smith, and Derek Swope. Great Grandchildren, Ryne, Makenna, Chase, Parker, Cicily, Sophia, Hadley, and Maxwell, and many nieces and nephews.
His energetic spirit, laughter, and the sparkle in his eyes will be in our hearts forever.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Marland Children’s Home, 1300 Summers Place, Ponca City, Oklahoma, 74604. Services held at 10 a.m. on August 19 at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, Edmond, Oklahoma.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Matthews Funeral Home and Cremation Service
601 S. Kelly Ave.
Edmond, Okla. 73003
The Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019
