Friends and family members gathered Wednesday to remember and honor Harold Eugene Swagerty. Mr.
Swagerty passed from this life Thursday, April 25, 2013 at his home in Hugoton. He was 87. [it-exchange-member-content membership_ids=”485,313″]
Harold was born in Elkhart March 2, 1926 to Benjamin F. Swagerty and Ella May Webb Swagerty.
He grew up in Elkhart where he attended school until inducted into the Army August 1, 1944. He was in the Second Division “Indianhead”, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Company F. The Division’s motto was “Second to None”. He served in World War II in the European Theater and earned a Bronze Star. When returning to the states he was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wa. until receiving an Honorable Discharge in May of 1947.
November 16, 1947 Harold and Verda Ruth Kemper were united in marriage.
Harold was employed by Ideal Food Stores and Northern Natural Gas as a
Cathodic Engineer.
Mr. Swagerty was Past Master of Hugoton Masonic Lodge 406, First Church of God, Second Indianhead Division Association, NACE, VFW and the American Legion. He enjoyed his time with his family and friends.
Harold also enjoyed doing carpentry and after turning 65; he began making dulcimers and mandolins.
When Harold was 86 he was pleased to hear that it was determined through genealogical research he was a fifth generation grandson of the great Cherokee Chief Dragging Canoe.
Those preceding Mr. Swagerty in death were his Swagerty and Webb grandparents; his parents Ben and May Swagerty; brother and sister-in-law Ralph and Helen Swagerty; and brother-in-law Chuck McKinney.
Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Verda Ruth; his children, Janell Summers and husband Cliff, Craig Swagerty and wife Carla and Emery Swagerty; grandchildren, Stephanie Summers, Shane and Angie Summers, Liberty and Scott Miller, Dustin and Briannie Summers, Traci and Nate Fleming, Benjamin Swagerty, Amber Che’ and Nathan Kriesel and Jessica Swagerty; great grandchildren, Daxton Lamb, Sydney Summers, Cale Lamb, Bo Summers, Caden Miller, Kimber Summers, Kemper Miller, Hunter Summers, Jack Fleming, Shiloh Summers, Kaley Dene’ Kriesel, Ryan Summers, Koltin Summers, Sophie Grace Kriesel, Zoe Joy Kriesel, Madison Summers, Chance Summers and Sammy Jo Fleming; sister Alice Mae McKinney; aunt Eunice Sexton; his nieces and nephews; and several cousins.
Funeral services were attended Wednesday afternoon, May 1, 2013 at the First Church of God in Hugoton with Pastor Richard Martin and Pastor Terry Worthington presiding. Burial followed in the Hugoton Cemetery. Paul’s Funeral Home of Hugoton was in charge of arrangements.
A memorial has been established for First Church of God. Memorials may be mailed to Paul’s Funeral Home, PO Box 236, Hugoton, Ks 67951. [/it-exchange-member-content]