Cecil Coleman Swindell passed from this life on Saturday, July 1, 2017, after living in Denison since 1960. He was born Aug. 29, 1924, in Rotan, Texas, to Coleman Swindell and Annie Gertrude Mayo Swindell.
Swindell moved to Rising Star, Texas, at an early age where he lived and graduated from Rising Star High School. While attending school there, he was involved in school athletic programs.
In May, 1942, at age 17 he left Rising Star to attend machinist school in Fort Worth to become an apprentice, planning to help in the war effort. Following graduation, Swindell went to work in the jigs and fixtures department of the factory where B-24 bombers were built.
In December, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, taking boot training at the San Diego, California, naval training facility and upon graduation, took advanced machinist training at New Mexico A&M and steam engineering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Swindell’s next assignment was at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a member of the engineering department aboard the USS Chickasaw. The Chickasaw saw heavy action in World War 2, earning six battle stars and two battle stars in Korea. The ship accompanied the task force groups which invaded the Marshall Islands, and also the Guam, Siapan and Philippine Islands.
After completing a 20-year career in the Navy, Swindell finished his service as a recruiter in Denison, Texas and worked for Austin College for another 20 years. His main interests outside of employment were family and gardening. He was a Baptist and was active in many aspects of church operation and teaching Sunday School for many years in the teen and senior adult departments.
Mr. Swindell is survived by three children: Cecile (Sissy) Swindell of Denison, Ronald Swindell of Denison and Tony Swindell of Howe, along several grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 6, 2017 at Chapel On The Hill Mausoleum in Cedarlawn Memorial Park with Reverend Keith Taylor officiating. Family visitation will be one hour before the service from 9-10 a.m.
Services are under the direction of Johnson-Moore Funeral Home.
Condolences may be registered to www.johnsonmoorefuneralhome.net
