Columbus Lee Swopes, Jr.

Columbus Lee Swopes Jr., age 40 of Gatesville, passed away in the early morning of Friday, October 8, 2021 at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center located in Houston, TX. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 3 PM at Scotts’ Funeral Home in Gatesville, TX. Columbus was born in Kansas City, MO to Columbus Swopes Sr. and Bessie (Graves) Swopes. He grew up in Mineral Springs, AR and attended Mineral Spring’s high school. At the age of 18 Columbus joined the ARMY as a tank mechanic and was stationed in Germany, Ft. Hood and was deployed to Iraq for one tour. After being honorably discharged from the ARMY he was employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice where he worked at the Alfred Hughes Unit as a Correctional officer, Sergeant of Corrections and at the Hilltop Unit in administration. Columbus was above all devoted to his family. He enjoyed outings with his children and wife and loved riding his motorcycle. He was a fierce protector of those that he loved, and he will be greatly missed. Columbus is survived by his wife, Rebbeca (Kuhn) Swopes; son, Joziah Swopes; daughter, Gloria Swopes; parents, Columbus Swopes Sr. and Bessie (Graves) Swopes; siblings, Malika (Shaun) Stone, Cortez (Trenise) Swopes, and Tina Swopes; nieces and nephews, Trevante Swopes, Stormy Swopes, Cortez Swopes Jr., Gabby Swopes, De’Anthony Stone, Leila Stone and Bella Stone; father-in- law and mother-in-law Gary and Marian Kuhn. He was preceded in death by Rebeca’s mother the late Gloria Kuhn. The family asks that in lieu of flowers friends/family instead make contributions to an account which was established for his children. Those who wish to make electronic contributions can do so at Bank of America Account #488104800430 or via PayPal at joziahandgloriaswopes@gmail.com.