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.