Arthur Leon Swift

 

Arthur Leon Swift
Arthur Leon Swift

Arthur Leon Swift passed away on October 10, 2021, in New York City. He was born July 17, 1939, in Amarillo. His parents were Rosa Doretta Odom and Arthur Noel Swift.

Leon graduated from Amarillo High School in 1957. He went to Texas Tech with a Sears-Roebuck Foundation Scholarship to the School of Agriculture where he graduated with a degree in agricultural economics. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and of the Texas Tech Rodeo Team. He was World Champion Junior Bull Rider.

His business career started in ranching, moved to oil and gas exploration, then to the newspaper business where he was advertising director for the Amarillo Globe-Times. After the newspaper sold, he went into the cattle feeding business. He was a member of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association Board of Directors and served a number of years on the TCFA arbitration committee. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Security National Bank.

Throughout the course of his life, Leon was a volunteer trustee of various trusts for family, friends, his church, and was a court-appointed trustee for several real estate clients. A professional realtor, he has been associated as an industrial specialist with Coldwell Banker First Equity Commercial Realtors for the past 22 years.

Leon enjoyed hunting, fishing and ranch outings. He was a birder and a gardener. He served on the Palo Duro Club Board of Directors. He was a founding member of Amarillo Bird Dog Club and of the National Shoot to Retrieve Association. Other civic commitments included terms on the Tri-State Fair Association Board, being a YMCA director and Red Cross Board chairman.

In his church, he served multiple terms as chairman of the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Trust, several terms on the vestry and several terms as senior warden. He is a past president of St. Andrew’s Day School Board.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas, he was Standing Committee President and an Executive Council member.

Leon and his wife, Georgia Whittenburg Hawks Swift, were married 62 years. Their daughters are Anne Swift Birlin, Andrea Swift and Francie Swift Blumenfeld. Francie and husband Brad Blumenfeld are parents of two favorite grandsons, Fisher Blumenfeld and Chase Blumenfeld.

Leon is survived by a brother, Wayne Swift, Wayne’s wife Ann, and nephews Rob Swift and Steven Swift. He has an extended family of sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

A service in Leon’s honor will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 23, 2021, in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church by Bishop Scott Mayer, Rector Jared Houze and former Rector Jo Roberts Craig. The family requests attendees wear masks. If desired, memorials in his honor may be sent to a favorite charity, St. Andrew’s Church Trust at 1600 Georgia, Amarillo, TX 79102, or Heal the City at 609 S. Carolina St, Amarillo, TX 79106.

Please use one of these links to livestream the service:

https://m.facebook.com/standrewsamarillo/live

http://www.standrewsamarillo.org/livestream

https://youtube.com/channel/UCxdBm_RpuS_f44GAr4xdMsw

 

21 Replies to “Arthur Leon Swift”

  1. The world has a blank spot in it right now. His interests were varied and his sharing of self was vast and much appreciated. My wife and I are glad to know him and his wife.

  2. Dear Georgia, I am so sorry for your loss. We all thought alot of Leon and he will be missed. God bless you and all your memories of his husband Leon. Love, Marjorie Royse Walsh

  3. Georgia, my prayers are with you at this time of grief. I pray God comforts you and gives you grace.
    your cousin Elizabeth.

  4. So sorry. I’m thinking about you guys today. Leon was such a good man. He will be missed dearly.

  5. Georgia, We are sorry to hear of Leon’s passing. He had a long and useful life. Please accept our sincere condolences. Diane Dunn and Bryan Hampton

  6. Georgia, I was very sorry to see Leon’s obituary in the paper this morning. You were married 62 years, it says, and I know how long that is because that is how long Nell and I were married. Since Leon was in a separate part of the Globe-News from mine, I really knew him only a little. He was always very pleasant when I saw him with you many years later at OHMS, though. It impressed me to see in the obituary, along with his many other accomplishments, that he had been the junior world champion in bull riding. I am sorry for your loss, Georgia.

    Don Williams

  7. It was with sorrow that I learned of Leon’s death. He was a friend and someone with whom it was always a joy to see and talk to.

  8. Leon will be missed by many. Much love to Georgia, Andrea, Francie, and Anne. I know the Grands will be a huge comfort to you all. Much love…..Shelter

  9. I was very saddened when Wayne called me and told me about Leon’s death. I do know he is in a better place. I grew up with Wayne and Leon through Boy Scouts and Amarillo High School years where Leon was our “big brother”. I know he will be sorely missed by all of his family and friends.

  10. Leon was a joy to know. He was such a great friend to my dad, Don Reynolds until the end. Heaven has a wonderful angel in it’s midst. Prayers for Georgia and the family.

  11. I have known Leon through church and high school. He was one of the nicest friends I ever had. He was a friend to all of us and always willing to help if the need was there. Even in our latter years, he still remained the same; always with that sweet smile. I will miss him as
    will so many others. My love and sympathy goes to Georgia and the children.

  12. So sorry to hear of Leon’s death Georgia. He truly was a wonderful man what I would call “The Salt of the Earth” person. He always made you feel comfortable, an easy going persona. I have notified both Scott and Lorna. They remember him with kindness. Sincerely Katharine Willis

  13. Leon was one of my favorite people at Coldwell Banker. Always had a smile an willing to help. He will be missed by many. Prayers for peace for his family.

  14. He was an exceptional man and I feel very privileged to have known him. I will be out of town for his service but will keep him and his loving family in my prayers.

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