Riley was born on March 3, 1941 in Cleves, Ohio, grew up in Beaumont, Texas, and moved to The Woodlands in 1976. He served in the Army of the United States, was a legend in the floorcovering industry, a dedicated employee of Carpenter Company for 19 years, a licensed real estate agent, and member of The Woodlands First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 32 years, Jeannie Vickery Swanson, children Janna Wedding of Timpson, Texas, Sheryl Poston, and husband James, of New Caney, Texas, Robert Swanson, and wife Sophia, of Montgomery, Texas, Cynthia Welch, and husband Richard, of Conway, Missouri, Todd Mauldin, and significant other, Kelly Ireland, of Lakewood, Colorado, and Mark Mauldin, and wife Karen, of Austin, Texas, grandchildren Daniel Parris, Emiley and Jessica Wedding, Travis and Ryan Poston, Patrick, Nicole, and Hope Swanson, Stephen Drury, Jr., Zachary Welch, Sam and Ella Mauldin (Pawpaw's Little Miss America), great grandchildren Brayden Parris, Ryan Poston, Jr. and Maddox Poston, brother Charles Swanson and Wife Martha of Lawrenceville, Georgia, niece Sharla Swanson, nephews Terry Swanson and Scott Swanson, mother-in-law Avis Vickery, and a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Lee Swanson, and mother Star Swanson Silverberg.
Heartfelt thanks to the outstanding teams of caregivers and staff at Silverado Care The Woodlands, Silverado Hospice and Caring Senior Service who so lovingly cared for Riley during the long, difficult journey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Silverado Foundation, 6400 Oak Canyon, Suite 200, Irvine, California 92618 or The Woodlands First Baptist Church, 11801 Grogans Mill Rd, The Woodlands, TX 77380. Please write "Local Missions - In Memory of Riley Swanson."
Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 29, 2014, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. and funeral service at 3:00 p.m. with Dr. Don Higginbotham of The Woodlands First Baptist Church officiating, and interment immediately following the service at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home and Cemetery.
