Thomas Swyden

Thomas James Swyden passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 30, 2025, just five days after his family gathered to celebrate his 98th birthday. Tom was born on October 23, 1927, to Lebanese parents Kamil Gattas and Cecilia (Abraham) Swyden in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the hometown of his mother. His father, Kamil, immigrated to America in 1920 at the age of 17 from Marjeyoun, Lebanon, settling first in Kansas City, Missouri, and eventually in Oklahoma City, where he owned grocery stores and later restaurants. Tom was the second of four children and the only son. He and his sisters—Mary Ann, Fritzie, and Kay—attended Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School and Capitol Hill High School.

On June 23, 1946, Tom and fourteen of his friends from Capitol Hill enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He learned Morse code and served as a radio operator and technician, flying C-54 transports over the Pacific from his base in Southern California. After his service, the GI Bill sent him to college. The first in his family to earn a college degree, he began at Central State University and later transferred to Oklahoma State University, where he graduated in just three years with a Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis in mathematics and psychology. He also took drafting courses that would prove essential to his future career.

With his strong skills in mathematics, Tom was hired by Shell Oil in Oklahoma City to work on seismic crews analyzing subsurface graphs to locate oil reserves. While living again with his parents in south Oklahoma City, he was reacquainted with Myrtle Leona Beaty —“the girl next door” who had grown up during his years away.

Tom and Myrtle married on June 23, 1953, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Six months later, Tom built their first home using the GI Bill and the drafting skills he learned at OSU. He began working with developer Oscar Whitten and later partnered with Dan Fioroni, owner of Forest Lumber, to form Swyden Construction. Tom enjoyed a successful 40-year career as a home builder and commercial developer, retiring at age 75. His legacy continued through his sons Marty and Randy and grandson Dallas in Jamars and Long, Jamarson, and SwyCo. He was faithfully supported in the office by his daughter-in-law Sharon for most of those years.

Tom and Myrtle built their life in Rancho Village, a close-knit south Oklahoma City neighborhood within walking distance of St. James Catholic Church. They raised five children—Tony, Marty, Randy, Ricky, and Penny—and their home was always full of friends, neighbors, and the joyful chaos of family life. Tom’s Catholic faith was the foundation of his life. Through his ties with Sacred Heart, Tom became involved with Mount St. Mary Catholic High School, where he served as the school’s first football coach after it became co-educational in the early 50s. Many of his children and grandchildren would eventually graduate from the Mount. He was a founding member of St. James Catholic Parish in the 60s and all five of his children attended school there. He was active in parish life at St. James, helping build the gymnasium and becoming well-known for the spaghetti dinners he cooked for Lenten meals and parish fundraisers.

Tom was devoted to Myrtle throughout their marriage and served as her primary caregiver during her battle with Alzheimer’s disease, demonstrating deep and unwavering love until her passing in 1997. He later remarried, and on August 26, 2005, he and Bettie Grace were wed, sharing companionship and care for nearly two decades. In retirement, Tom enjoyed golf and frequent trips to the casino—surprising for someone known for being so frugal! He played often with his cousin Joseph Harroz and friends Paul Massad and Buddy Shadid. He still drove himself, and lived independently well into his 90s.

While Tom achieved much in business, his greatest legacy is his family. He was an excellent cook and hosted his famous Sunday dinners for many years, gathering family and friends for delicious meals and laughter. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Kamil and Cecilia Swyden; his stepmother Lucy (Galkh) Swyden; his first wife Myrtle (Beaty) Swyden; and his sister Mary Ann Barrett.

He is survived by his second wife, Bettie; his sisters Rose “Fritzie” Marcheschi of Atlanta, GA, and Thria Kay Devlin of Midwest City, OK; his children Thomas Anthony “Tony” Swyden and Che Swyden Chereskin of Huntington Beach, CA, James Martin “Marty” and Dana Swyden of Oklahoma City, Randall Kamil “Randy” and Karen Swyden of Oklahoma City, Richard Joseph “Ricky” and Susan Swyden of Edmond, and Penny Diane and Mark Johnson of Oklahoma City; daughter-in-law Sharon Swyden of Oklahoma City; grandchildren Dallas and Andrea Swyden of Yukon, OK, Tiffany and Trent Meisel of Enid, OK, Amanda and Nathaniel Harding of Oklahoma City, Chase Swyden and Brissa Munch of Moore, OK, Ryan and Olivia Swyden of Piedmont, OK, Amy and Chris Burshek of Edmond, OK, Whitney Swyden of Yukon, OK, Allison and Anthony Baker of Oklahoma City, Alex Swyden of Oklahoma City, Brianna Swyden of Huntington Beach CA, Forrest and Francesca Johnson of Oklahoma City, Lucas Swyden of Huntington Beach, CA, and MacKenzie Swyden of Yukon, OK; 14 great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including niece Lizzie Hudson Scherting, who visited him often in his final year.

A viewing will be held on Monday, November 3, from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Advantage Funeral Home, 7720 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City, followed by a Wake at 6:30 PM at the same location. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 4, at 10:00 AM at St. James Catholic Church, 4201 S. McKinley Ave., with interment to follow at Resthaven Cemetery, 500 SW 104th St., Oklahoma City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount St. Mary Catholic High School