His rapid decline was unexpected but I truly believe he was tired and wanted to join my mother in heaven, who passed two years ago this month. I am still in shock, but so grateful that he didn't suffer and that he and my mom were living with us for their twilight years. They may not be with me physically, but I carry so many cherished memories and know they are holding hands and both watching over me.
My dad was an incredibly loving, generous and humble man who loved God, his family and friends and his country. I have always been so very proud to be his daughter. He loved me unconditionally and as adults, I considered him my father and best friend. I will miss the special times we spent together and I ache when I see his empty room, but I know he's with Jesus and my mom, and that brings me great comfort.
I love you dad, give mom a hug for me and know I could not have asked for better parents.
Harold Clayton Swear reunited with the love of his life, Helen on February
24, 2016 while listening to his favorite honkytonk music at the Paloma Health
Care Center in Vista, CA. He was born on
May 2, 1928 in Marrero, Louisiana to George and Coma Swear. He served in the United States Air Force for
twenty years and was the last active military person at Larson Air Force Base
in Moses Lake, Washington. He retired
after the closure of the base and then managed the base housing for the Grant
County Housing Authority for twenty years as well as working side by side with
Helen as owners of Casey Music. He met his wife of 62 years while he was
stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Moses Lake, WA and married on March 10,
1951. His military life included assignments at Larson AFB, Bentwaters AFB –
England, Mountain Home AFB – Mountain Home – ID, Bermuda, Nouasseur AFB –
Morocco, Francis E. Warren AFB – Cheyenne, WY, and a return to Larson AFB.
After retirement, Harold and Helen relocated to Las Vegas, NV in the early 90's where they entertained and played tour-guide to many of their family and friends. In 2012 they relocated to their daughter's home in Vista, CA due to declining health.
He is survived and will be dearly missed by daughter Patti (Michael) of Vista, CA; brother, Raymond Swear of Vista, CA; daughter Diane (Luis) Cerna of Hutto, TX; grandson Robert (Shannan) Cleghorn and great-granddaughters (MaKenzee and Madalynn) of Muir, MI; granddaughter Corrie Nesbitt (Travis) and great-granddaughters Adalynn and Avery of Murrieta, CA; grandson John Cerna and great-grandsons (Andrew, Zachary and Marcus) of Arlington, WA; Corey (Michael) Branum and great-grandsons (Dennen and Merrick) of Spokane, WA and Jillian (Richard) Thomas and great-granddaughters (Isabel and Madaline) of Wales; two “adopted” daughters Sharon (Jeff) Zornes and grandson Thomas in Stafford, VA and Kerrie Long of Sydney, Australia; and “adopted” son Dick Rye (Sharon) their children and grandchildren, plus cousins, nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends he considered family. Welcoming him at the gates of Heaven along with Helen and his parents – were brothers Bennard, John, George and Edwin, sister Dorothy (Wolfe) Swear and three special angels.
At his request, no services will be held. The family requests donations be made in his name to the charity of your choice.
Beautiful tribute. Who knows, he and your mom may be doing some celebrating with my mom and dad. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, my friend.....
DeleteVery touching and loving...
ReplyDeleteThanks cuz. He loved you and Georgetta very much and I'm sure he'll be with us as we spend time together in a few weeks. :)
DeleteMy condolences. So sorry to hear of your loss, but there is peace in knowing he is with your mother and His Savior. God bless
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Holly....God Bless.
DeletePatti Mike and family....what a beautiful testimony to your Dad, our beloved friends both Your dad HAROLD and your deceased mother Helen they told me so often , when we were able to spend many wonderful moments with them both , of how much you have gone through personally and how much they both loved and adored you Patti! Words cannot explain how your loss is also a loss for me your second mom, and how hard it was for me to even talk to you today. You must remember as you beautifully wrote, they are both together now in heaven, and they are saying, what a wonderful daughter our Patti is...how she took such wonderful care of us when our later years we were able to live those years in Patti and Mikes home and life, and how wonderfully they accepted us in the later days of our lives. They are talking now together of how you cared so lovingly when Helen had such serious illness,,,,Patti you were always there for us....and then your dad was saying how you helped him get through the loss of his dear wife Helen and how you were always there for them both...They are looking down and saying all this to each other Patti to let you know what a special daughter you were to them and such happiness you always brought them...They both told me how you went through so much in your own life, with sickness etc...that most people. couldn't bear but how strong you came through it all ne er complaining and always full of love. Yo your parents Patti from all that your mom and Dad told me and my husband about you before we even met you ...how special of a daughter you were and how much they loved you... The memories I share in my heart with both of them will never ever cease being special as I called Helen your mom, my sister who I never had...and your wonderful dad my brother whom I never had.. Special memories of their little dog Visa, that they had when we first met them was special...I can remembering my making a wreath for Visas grave that your parents took us to at the doggie cemetery in Nevada...and their visit here to our home in Florida and their first cruise with us to the zcarribean, and how we made a early Christmas for their visit complete with Christmas tree when they visited and stayed with us here in Florida...I pray Patti the memories you had of your wonderful parents and how truly they both loved you so very much will help you get through this loss for you and knowing they are together again looking down at you, their special daughter who they loved so very much, give you peace in this loss...God Bless you my dear second daughter for the care and sincere love you unselfishly gave to your parents ...We all are blessed to have known them and shared some of their lives with them and you. The miles have kept us apart but the memories we have can never be taken away, and now Patti we too are additionally blessed because we know two special angels in heaven by their names..... May the Lord a less you and comfort you in knowing how your parents loved you with all their hearts...
ReplyDeleteLove you, praying for you...always and always....
Mom #2, I love you so much.....Mom and Dad were blessed to have you in their lives...you shared many adventures with them and they always told me how much they loved you. You brought a great deal of joy into their lives....and mine. Love you Mom!!!!
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