David Swaringin
October 8, 1935 - March 6, 2023
Arlington, Texas - David "Dave" Glenn Swaringin, 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep after an extended illness on March 7, 2023, in Arlington, TX. Born on October 8, 1935, in Royston, TX, to Hollis G and Florine Swaringin, Dave was predeceased by his parents, brother Dwight Swaringin, and sister Kay (Swaringin) Steward.
Dave attended Rotan High School and played on the football and basketball teams He graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1962 and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi. He had a successful career, including working for Ford Glass, Sam P Wallace Co (director of HR), Coldwell Realtor, and Dave Swaringin Commercial Real Estate Brokerage.
Dave was an avid reader. He liked to read the paper and anything about history. He adored his beautiful wife. They enjoyed throwing dinner parties and traveling.
Dave Swaringin loved Texas and its people, wore cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, and had no fancy airs at all. He loved the Dallas Cowboys and followed them from the recruiting and draft process all the way through to the very last game of the season every year. Dave grew up in and loved the flat land around Rotan Texas. He also loved the lights of Dallas Fort Worth. He loved west Texas so much that he brought the Texas bluebonnets to his home in Arlington. Many neighbors have enjoyed years of Texas bluebonnets at their Arlington home.
Dave will be remembered as a man who quietly took care of other people. On more than one occasion, he helped someone finance a property with his own money because that's what Texas people do. He bought groceries that his wife transformed into meals and treats for shut in friends and neighbors. He was president of the Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club in 1995-1996. He worked the Flag Program for Rotary to raise money for playgrounds for underprivileged children. For many years, he went on a weekly basis to spend time with children in an underprivileged school, mentoring them, introducing them to college campus tours and people who had pulled themselves up by their bootstraps, and encouraging them to dream big. These kids knew Dave as the "chicken man." On any patriotic holiday, he could be found putting flags out in people's yards as part of the fundraiser to build playgrounds for underprivileged children. Then he would be found at the playground with a hammer in his hand.
A man of great character, his legacy will live on through all of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the many children he mentored. Dave is survived by his beautiful wife of 47 years, Sharon Swaringin, and his daughters Dallas Nichols of Walnut Creek, California, and Elizabeth (Matthew) Weaver of Milton, Tennessee. He is also survived by his grandchildren Faith (Eric) McSherry, Steve Nichols, David (Amanda) Weaver, Nathan Weaver, and Hope Weaver, as well as great-grandchildren, Alex and Kate McSherry, and Coy and Laynie Weaver. Dave is also survived by his niece, Monea Steward (Kent) Brown.
A Celebration of Life will be held on March 30, 2023, at 4pm at the Kathryn Wilemon Lake House Event Center, 6021 W. Arkansas Ln., Arlington, Texas 76016. Flowers are welcome, or donations can be made to the Flag Program for Rotary to continue Dave's work in raising money for playgrounds. The Texas Baptist Men also do work that Dave supported.
Dave loved a good cigar and a fine glass of bourbon shared with a friend, so tonight, as you gaze across a Texas prairie, or if you are sitting at the finest bar overlooking the lights of the city, the Swaringin family invites you to hold this real Texas gentleman in your heart. If you have been looking for inspiration to make the world a better place, take some of Dave's leftover goodness and love and make it your own.
My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. -Chief Joseph