88R8179 CW-D
By: Price H.R. No. 518
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The passing of former Texas state representative
David Anthony Swinford on December 31, 2022, at the age of 81
concluded a remarkable life of service to the Texas Panhandle and to
the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, David Swinford was born in Wichita Falls on June 28,
1941, to Oley and Hazel Swinford, and he grew up with the
companionship of three brothers, Sammy Alan, Earl, and Jerry;
following his graduation from Frenship High School, he continued
his education at South Plains College and then at Texas Tech
University, where he earned a degree in agriculture education; on
June 19, 1964, he exchanged wedding vows with the former Milas Joyce
McCoy, and the couple settled in Dumas; they shared a rewarding
marriage spanning more than five and a half decades, during which
they became the proud parents of two children, Chris and Melissa;
with the passage of time, Mr. Swinford welcomed five grandchildren
and five great-grandchildren into his treasured family; he was
preceded in death by a granddaughter, Christie Marie Bates; and
WHEREAS, After first working for Lindsey Seed Company of
Lubbock, Mr. Swinford launched his tenure with Moore County Grain
in 1969; six years later, he and three business partners purchased
the operation, and he subsequently took the helm of the Moore County
Grain Handling Company as president and general manager; his wife
and children played a vital role in the success of the business,
which became one of the largest independent grain companies in
Texas; he sold the company to Dumas Co-op, taking on work there as
the marketing manager, and he ultimately left the co-op to
establish Ag-Plus Consulting; and
WHEREAS, Committed to serving his fellow citizens,
Mr. Swinford successfully ran for a seat in the Texas House of
Representatives in 1990, and he took office on January 8, 1991; he
demonstrated great diligence in representing the counties of House
Districts 87 and 88 over the course of two decades and 10
legislative sessions, and he and other legislators from the
Panhandle helped secure many key benefits for the region; among his
most notable accomplishments in office, Representative Swinford
led the charge to establish wind farms on the High Plains, thereby
stimulating economic growth and job creation with the production of
wind power; and
WHEREAS, Earning a reputation for his strong leadership and
keen intellect, Mr. Swinford was actively involved with caucuses,
and he chaired a number of house committees, including State
Affairs, Government Reform, and Agriculture and Livestock, as well
as Public School Finance, Select Subcommittee on Governance;
moreover, he received a gubernatorial appointment to the Southern
States Energy Board, and he was appointed to the Texas Energy
Council and the Texas Ag Policy Board; his legislative efforts in
behalf of his constituents were recognized by many, and he garnered
numerous well-deserved accolades for his work; he retired as a
state representative on August 31, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Mr. Swinford actively supported
the community at large, including as director of the Dumas/Moore
County Chamber of Commerce and as president of the school board; he
was a certified vocational education teacher and an agricultural
consultant, and he lent his time and talents to local FFA clubs and
to such organizations as the Dumas Little League, the Dumas Noon
Lions Club, and the United Way; furthermore, he was honored by the
Dumas Economic Development Corporation for his outstanding service
to the board of directors; he also belonged to the National Grain
and Feed Association, the Panhandle Grain and Feed Association, the
Texas Grain and Feed Association, and the Texas Conservative
Coalition; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Swinford was a devoted Christian, and he found
great joy in serving his congregation at Sunray Church of Christ;
additionally, he helped share the gospel worldwide through his
partnership with the Sunset International Bible Institute in
Lubbock; a member of the Sunset Council, he assisted with capital
campaigns and with SIBI degree programs, and he helped facilitate a
grant program from his church that supplied solar-powered audio
players containing Bible teachings to a number of countries; and
WHEREAS, A loving husband, father, and grandfather,
Mr. Swinford cherished his family; he and his wife spent countless
hours helping their children with their 4-H and FFA livestock
projects, and he cheered on his grandsons at their academic,
sporting, agriculture, and music events; and
WHEREAS, David Swinford earned the respect and admiration of
all who knew him, not only for his exemplary service as a Texas
state representative but also for his exceptional kindness and
generosity, and he leaves behind a legacy that will resonate for
years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable David
Anthony Swinford and extend deepest condolences to the members of
his family: to his wife, Joyce Swinford; to his son, David
Christopher Swinford, and his wife, Brenda; to his daughter,
Melissa Rae Swinford Bates, and her husband, Rob; to his
grandchildren, Phillip Bates and his wife, Alayna, William Bates
and his wife, Isabel, Alan Swinford and his wife, Haylee, and Daniel
Swinford; to his great-grandchildren, Adelyn, Ellie, Gavin,
Kieran, and Josiah; to his brother-in-law, David McCoy; to his
sisters-in-law, Sylvia Swinford and Jimmie Swinford; and to his
other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of David
Anthony Swinford.