Glenn Swinford

Weldon Glenn Swinford joined his Heavenly Father on May 29, 2025. He passed away peacefully in The Woodlands, Texas at 94 years old.

Glenn was born in Saltillo, Texas on August 3, 1930, to Walter Oscar Swinford and Elgie Maude Cooper Swinford. Born and reared in a blended family during the Great Depression, Glenn suffered severe ear infections and hearing loss as a child. A child of that era, Glenn was familiar with the ravages of poverty and war, having lost siblings to both, before he was a teenager. At 17, Glenn enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly trained as a sharpshooter but was honorably discharged when his ear troubles resurfaced. Glenn returned in time to graduate with his original class at Mount Vernon High School in 1948 as the salutatorian. He worked as a salesman for many years in several industries. He enjoyed watching Westerns and old movies. He excelled at playing Scrabble. He loved eating chicken-pot pies and, if he could get it, properly cooked cornbread. But his favorite thing to do was rescuing stray animals, even if they really didn’t need rescuing.

Glenn’s deep love for animals revealed a soft side of himself that not everyone had the chance to see. He often spoke about having aided in the birth of several litters of kittens, being the first person these kittens had ever laid eyes on and loved. He fed and sheltered neighborhood cats and dogs, and told many, many stories of the pets he loved. He had a special bond with Hank, a dog he deeply loved and with whom he is now joyfully reunited.

He was married three times and lived in many places around Texas, lastly residing in Magnolia, Texas with his son Chris and daughter-in-law Cindy. He was often seen caring for cats and relaxing outdoors in his rocking chair intently watching everything going on, just in case he might be able to offer helpful advice, especially when it came to making sure that every car was being taken care of correctly.

Glenn is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Maude; his son, Danny Swinford of Dallas, Texas; his brother, Wayne Swinford, a Korean War veteran; and his half-siblings: Lonnie Alton Teague, who was killed in action at Normandy, Eugene Swinford, Limon Woodrow Swinford, Ruth Bowen, Mildred Reese, Marvin Swinford, and an unnamed sister.

He is survived by his children: Steven and his wife Sherry Swinford of Ruidoso, New Mexico; Chris and his wife Cindy Swinford of Magnolia, Texas; Kerry McDonough of Boerne, Texas; and Kirk Swinford of Houston, Texas. He has 6 grandchildren: Cheryl McCollum, Matthew Swinford, Shannon Jimenez, Sarah Vantreese, Samantha Swinford, and Sophia Swinford. Additionally, he leaves behind 6 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. His brother, Dale Swinford, lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife Hope.

A burial will be held on Wednesday, June 11th 2025 at 10:30 AM at the Houston National Cemetery (10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038).

In lieu of flowers, donations to the ASPCA would honor him, that and if you would always please remember to wait at least 30 seconds after starting your car’s engine before driving off in it.