Sept. 25, 1919– March 30, 2023
Walter Leroy Swart was born September 25, 1919 to German immigrant Herman Swart and Bessie (Kleiner) Swart in their home at Rocky, Oklahoma, and entered Heaven’s gates on March 30, 2023. He was the fourth of eight children born to the couple. Walter began school at Rocky in 1925, which is where he met a pretty young lady with an infectious smile, Florene. The two were joined in marriage on May 5th, 1941, at the El Reno courthouse. The couple made their home for many years “on the farm” in Rocky, Oklahoma before moving “to town” in 1984, where Walter resided until his final days. To this union came two beautiful children, Gary and Marla. They were a testament of the old adage, “the couple that works together, stays together”. The couple worked together in all their farming endeavors, along with their children. Florene was his greatest ally, totally devoted to him, for the entirety of their 78+ year marriage.
He worked for REA in 1938 and 1939 at Cordell making .25 an hour and went to NW Mt. View to dig electrical posts by hand with a straight shovel when the machine shaft broke. As a member of the greatest generation, Walter later joined the Navy in December 1943 as a welding instructor and ship fitter in Subic Bay, Philippines and New Guinea. After being discharged from the Navy he returned to Washita County in December 1946 as a farmer. He attended “GI School” at Rocky with community veterans to be equipped with skills to be a successful farmer in 1953. However, he really never retired.
His love of cattle, farming and gardening was his passion until his death. Walter was a farmer by birth, and loved every aspect of farming, especially his cattle. He was the ultimate cattle caller and loved to feed them by hand, taking time to talk to and pet every one of them. When his family talks about memories of Daddy or Papa, they almost always involve the farm or the great outdoors. Like watching him feed his fish and call them to the surface by stomping his feet on the bank of the pond, or calling his “girls”, to feed them. While living on the farm, mother missed him and went looking for him, a gentle giant with a loving heart, she discovers him in the chicken house, softly caressing a sick baby chicken.
He was interviewed by Galen Culver on his 100th birthday and featured on “Is This a Great State or What”. During the interview, he stated that he just didn’t understand why everyone didn’t want to be a farmer.
Walter was a man of few words, but he didn’t need words to speak volumes. Sowing seeds of life’s lessons, as well as the wheat and vegetables. One of his life’s lessons were lessons of integrity and to always tell the truth. One of his most known life lessons he taught all of his family was hard work. He was the strongest man we’ve ever known, doing things no other has done. Like repairing his barn at the ripe age of 100, tending to his garden and crop, even harvesting vegetables well into the age of 100. He was always thinking of others and taking garden vegetables and fruit to friends and neighbors and leaving it quietly on the steps of their home. He may not ever tell you with words that he loved you, but he showed you by his actions. Like teasing you or tricking individuals to eat foods they normally wouldn’t try, like jalapenos, calf fries, and green olives straight off the olive tree, which is extremely bitter.
Walter is preceded in death by Florene, his loving wife of 78 years. His parents, Herman and Bessie Swart. Sisters, Georgia Swart Owen and Gladys Swart Casey. Brothers, Charles, Lewis, Earl, Merle and Robert Swart.
He is survived by his children, Gary Swart and wife Ruby of Yukon, OK. Daughter Marla Harper and husband Jackie of Cordell, OK. Grandchildren, April Menge and husband Donald of El Reno, OK. Shara Garmon and husband David of Cordell, OK. Chad Gorshing and wife Christian of Oklahoma City, OK. Ashton McMahan and husband Steve of Mangum, OK. Great-grandchildren, Paige Owens and husband Ethan of Oklahoma City, OK. Kaylee Wendt and husband Kade of Weatherford, OK. Kyle Menge and wife Jordan of Mustang, OK. Kara Menge of El Reno, OK. Alyssa Gorshing of Oklahoma City, OK. Kaytem Garmon of Weatherford, OK. Elizabeth and Eli McMahan of Mangum, OK. One great-great-grandchild, Brooks Owens of Oklahoma City, OK. His sister-in-law, Evelyn Barrett of Visalia, CA and Rachel Swart of Centerville, TX. Special family members Kyle Harper and wife Makenzie of Cordell, OK.
As well as a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and family members.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the dedicated staff and management of the Cordell Memorial Hospital, as well as Shepherd Home Health Care for their loving care of Walter.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cordell Senior Citizens at 216 W 1St St in Cordell, OK, the Cordell First United Methodist Church at 216 S Glenn English in Cordell, OK, or the Rocky Lone Star Cemetery at 12647 N 2230 Rd in Rocky, OK.
Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 3, 2023, United Methodist Church, Cordell, Oklahoma.
Visitation: 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Saturday, April 1, 2023 & 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m, Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Cordell, Oklahoma. Interment: Lonestar Cemetery, Rocky, Oklahoma.
Under the direction of Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Cordell, Ok.