RUSSELL SWARTS

March 23, 1930 - April 15, 2014 OKLAHOMA CITY Russell E. Swarts, Jr. passed away April 15, 2014 at the age of 84 after struggling with cancer. He was born at home to Ora Marie Fodge Swarts and Russell Edwin Swarts near Carnegie, OK on March 23, 1930. His family moved often during his childhood, but he graduated from Carnegie High School in 1948. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Business Administration in 1952 and a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1954. During his college years, he was named Big Man on Campus, was first chair in tuba in the OU Marching Band and served as an officer of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Gloria M. Kelly. Together, they moved to Florida, where Russell served in the Judge Advocate General Office for the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After returning to Oklahoma City, he began his career in the oil and gas industry, partnering in Star Oil Company, which operated 34 Fina Gas Stations. In 1963, he was an organizing director and original author of the charter of Guaranty National Bank, later known as Coppermark Bank. He was elected Chairman of the Board where he served for 41 years. Russell also served on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank, Mangum, the First National Bank, Mountain View and First National Bank, Yukon. Last year, Coppermark Bank was merged into Houston-based, Prosperity Bank where he served as the Senior Chairman, Central Oklahoma Region. This culminated his career of "50 years in banking and a lifetime of integrity" as described by family friend and writer Ray Hibbard. Well known in the community, he was an early trustee of Heritage Hall and was active in acquiring the land that comprises most of the school's campus today. Russell was a longtime member of Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, serving as the Treasurer for many years. He has been a member of the boards of both the Metropolitan and North side YMCA, Epworth Villa and the Canterbury Choral Society. He was a member of the Economic Club of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, the English Speaking Union and a 59-year member of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Russell was an avid reader and antique collector. He and Gloria loved traveling with friends and family across the US and in Europe. When the children were younger, Russell spent much time at dance recitals, wrestling matches, speech and debate tournaments, little league baseball games and choral performances. The friendships made during these years lasted a lifetime. Russell was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Gloria, their son, Mark Kelly Swarts, his brother, Major General Robert F. Swarts (Ret., USAF) and his parents, Russell and Ora Swarts. He is survived by his two daughters, Suzanne Swarts Powell and her husband Dan Powell of Oklahoma City, and Dr. Kay L. (Libby) Worley and her husband Dr. Brian Worley of Tulsa; his seven grandchildren, Kathryn E. Powell Anderson, her husband Scott, Ross Powell, Rebecca Powell, Erin Worley, Mitchell Worley, Madelyn Worley and Angela Powell Temple; and three great grandchildren, Corbyn Anderson, and Abby and Cole Temple. Also, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Maryellen Duckworth Swarts of Austin, Texas. Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 18th, at 10:00 am, at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church with Interment to follow at Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be Thursday, April 17, 2014, at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper from 8:00am to 8:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) for Cancer Research.