Richard Clair Swope

Richard Clair Swope was born July 13, 1922 in Ansley, Nebraska. He is the oldest of three kids born to Clarence Francis Swope and Leora Mae Longnecker Swope. He had a younger sister, Hazel Swope Minerich and a younger brother, Kenneth Duane Swope.

They lived on a farm where they grew corn, watermelon, bran and all kind of things. They had milk cows, hogs and horses. They were very self sufficient and self contained. Clarence was a truck driver who drove to Texas every couple of months to buy crates of grapefruits. Neighbors would pitch in money so they would have grapefruit also. Richard always said he had eaten a grapefruit everyday for most of his life. From the stories told, Richard's parents used to give a lot of food to other in need.

Richard was in the Army during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and moved to Denver where his parents and nephew Duane Eugene Swope had moved. His parents had taken custody of their youngest son's child, Gene. When Richard got home from the Army, he helped raise Gene and became Gene's family. He met Clara Belle Jones in Denver in 1947 or 1948. Ironically, she was raised in Berwyn, Nebraska which is only 16 miles from Ansley, Nebraska, but didn't meet until they were in Denver. They were married in June 1948. To them, Richard Eugene Swope as born in May of 1949 and Debra Ellen Swope Pulliam was born in April of 1954.

Richard was a truck driver for many years when he was younger. He used to drive with his uncle "Dopey" Roy Swope. Uncle Dopey stayed with the family for awhile when the children were very small. Grandma Mae and cousin Gene lived with the family also when the children were very small.

Richard worked as a sheet metal worker for awhile but got a job at Vern Hagestad Volkswagen where he eventually became the new and used car service manager. After many years there he retired and started working at the Aurora Public Schools as a night custodian. Clara Belle, who worked Civil Service at the Air Force Financial Center at Lowry, got transfered to North Island Naval Base in San Diego. Richard's dream retirement came true. They moved to San Diego in 1982 and lived there until Clara Belle's death in 1994. Richard moved back to Aurora right after that and lived here until he died.

Richard loved the ocean (he would watch the water and boats for hours). As a kid, Debbie remembers them all laughing and having fun quite a bit. They used to play cards or board games on Sunday afternoons. Richard loved to camp and they'd go camping a couple of times a month.

Richard was a lifetime member of the Elks. He and Clara Belle took ballroom dancing lessons and then had many, many fun Saturday nights at the Elks cutting the rug.

Richard is survived by his children; Richard Eugene Swope and Debra Ellen Swope Pulliam. His son Richard has four children; Amy Swope White, Katie Swope, John Richard Swope and Megan Swope. Debra has two sons; Tevis Pulliam and Saber Pulliam and one son, Mariah "Ri" Giles who has passed away. Richard had 5 great grandchildren as well; Jaden White, Brandon Swope, Dominic Stewart, Tevis "T" Pulliam and Ashlyn White.

Debra would like to say that she believes her dad had a good, productive, happy life and she's very proud to have been his daughter.

Dad was born July 13, 1922 in Ansley, Nebraska. He was the oldest of three kids born to Clarence Francis Swope and Leora Mae Longnecker Swope. He had a younger sister Hazel Swope Minerich, and a younger brother, Kenneth Duane Swope.

They lived on a farm where they grew corn, watermelon, bran, and all kinds of things. They had milk cows, hogs, and horses. They were very self sufficient and self contained. My grandpa was a truck driver who drove every couple of months to buy crates of grapefruit. Neighbors would pitch in $80.00 so they would have grapefruit also. My dad always said he had eaten a grapefruit a day for most of his life. I knew he ate a grapefruit a day for all of my life. From the stories I heard most of my life – I believe my Grandpa and Grandma used to give a lot of food to others in need.

Dad was in the Army in WWII. He was discharged in 1946 and moved to Denver where his parents and nephew Duane Eugene Swope had moved. My grandparents had taken custody of their youngest son’s child, Gene. When Dad got home from the Army he helped raise Gene and became Gene’s family.

He met my Mom, Clara Belle Jones, in Denver in 1947 or 1948. Ironically, she was raised in Berwyn, Nebraska which was only 16 miles from Ansley, Nebraska but they didn’t meet until they moved to Denver. They were married in June 1948. My brother, Richard Eugene Swope, was born in May 1949, and I was born in April 1954. My Dad was a truck driver for many years when he was younger. He used to drive with his uncle “Dopey” Roy Swope. Uncle Dopey stayed with us for a while when I was very small. My Grandma Mae and Cousin Gene lived with us when I was very small also.

My dad worked as a sheet metal worker for awhile, but got a job at Vern Hagestad Volkswagen where he eventually became the New and Used Car service manager. After many years there, he retired, and started working at the Aurora Public Schools as a night custodian. My mother, who worked civil service at the Air Force Finance center at Lowry, got transferred to North Island Naval Base in San Diego. My Dad’s dream retirement came true! They moved to San Diego in 1982 and lived there until my mother’s death in 1994. Dad moved back to Aurora, Colorado after mom died, until his own death in 2010. My Dad loved the ocean – he would watch the water and boats for hours. I’m glad he had that time he enjoyed so much.

As a kid, I remember we were laughing and having fun quite a bit. We used to play cards or board games on Sunday afternoons. My Dad loved to go camp and we’d go camping a couple of times a month.

Dad was a lifetime member of The Elks. He and my mom took ballroom dancing lessons – then had many, many fun Saturday nights at the Elks cutting the rug.

Dad is survived by his children Richard Eugene Swope and Debra Ellen Swope Pulliam. Rich has four children, Amy Swope White, Katie Swope, John Richard Swope, and Megan Swope. Debra had three sons, Mariah “Ri” Giles (deceased), Tevis Pulliam, and Saber Pulliam. Dad had five Great-Grandchildren, Jaden White, Brendon Swope, Dominic Stewart, Tevis “T” Pulliam, and Ashlyn White.

I believe my Dad had a good, productive, happy life – and I’m proud to have been his Daughter.

Debra Ellen Swope Pulliam