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Donald Glen Swope was born on January 27, 1928 in Oklahoma City and passed away on Mar. 11, 2023 at the VA Hospital in Oklahoma City. His parents were Jesse Glen Swope and Ada Inez Swope. Don grew up on a farm in Yukon until his family moved to Shawnee at an early age and his father opened Swope's Service Station. Don attended Jefferson Elementary where he participated in the Little Olympics alongside Gordon Cooper. In high school, Don was the football team manager and often helped to scrounge up enough pads for the players. Don enlisted in the Navy at age 17, having to eat 2 lbs of bananas just to make weight. Don served 2 years in the Navy during World War II in Japan and France.
After the Navy, Don was back working at the gas station when he enlisted in the Air Force in order to receive a GI bill to attend Oklahoma Baptist University. He met the love of his life, Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Mullins and they married in 1954 and celebrated 60 years until her passing. Don took over the operations of Swope's and also started Swope's Wrecker Service. Don and Betty had 2 daughters, Cyndy and Shelley, and spent many years at dance recitals, sporting events, and lake trips. It was during those years that Don began announcing the Shawnee High School football games in a career that spanned over 22 years as he was known as the "Voice of the Wolves." Don was active in the Shawnee Jaycees, served as president of the Quarterback Club, and spent many years in the Kiwannis Club. Don was a kind man and always ready to come to someone's aid. Don ran his wrecker business until he was 78 years old when the onset of dementia caused him to retire. He was honored by AAA as the longest running wrecker service in OK for over 50 years. He was also inducted in 2017 into the Shawnee Football Hall of Fame. Don will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be greatly missed.
Don was pre-deceased by his wife, Betty Ann, his parents, Jesse Glen and Ada Inez Swope, a brother, James Swope, and a sister, Dorothy Chittum.
Don is survived by his daughters and spouses, Cyndy and James Karey from Yukon and Shelley and Tony Wall from Shawnee, grandchildren and spouses Amy and Cory Eichor, Yukon; Kelsey and Grant Wilkins, Tulsa; and Tanner and Stephanie Wall, Spartanburg, SC; great grandchildren Harlee Welsh and Cade Eichor, Yukon; Shepherd and Reagan Wall, Spartanburg, SC; Emory and Asher Wilkins, Tulsa, and two great grandchildren on the way.
A Visitation for Don will occur Wednesday, March 15, 2023 8-5 at Resthaven Funeral Home located at 44909 Hwy 3, Shawnee, OK. A Funeral Service will occur Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Resthaven Funeral Home with interment to occur at Resthaven Memorial Park.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavenfh.com for the Swope family..
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