Richard Dean Swartz

Richard Dean Swartz, age 86, of Jonesboro, formerly of Jal, New Mexico, passed away Monday, March 19, 2018.  The family will hold a Memorial Service at a later date.Dean was born on August 30, 1931 in Atwood, Kansas to the late L.B. and Helen Alspaugh Swartz. He grew up and attended school in Eunice, NM. Dean joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950, serving until 1954.  After returning to Eunice, Dean met his future wife, Floy Bell.  They were married December 11, 1959 in Eunice, NM.  Dean worked for El Paso Natural Gas as a Lab Technician for 30 plus years before retiring.  While growing up, Dean was always around horses when he wasn’t working cattle, you could find him at the local calf roping’s.  After he retired, he spent his time training his cutting horses.  He also enjoyed traveling and participating in Cutting Horse competitions, with his favorite cowgirl cheering him on.  Dean and Floy took off in their travel trailer visiting most of the United States.  When they were traveling, they loved to square dance with all the friends they had met along the way. While at home, Dean enjoyed golfing and reminiscing with his old high school buddies from Eunice about the old days.  Dean and Floy enjoyed spending a lot of time in Del Rio, TX fishing Lake Amistad, and contest for the biggest fish, and bringing the fish home and frying them up for the family.  Dean really enjoyed picking his guitar and singing old country songs and hymns.     He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Floy Swartz, in 2016; sister, Viola Alexander; and three brothers, Dale, Melvin, and Bob Swartz.Richard is survived by his son, Wendell New and wife, Lorinda of Odessa, TX; daughter, Vickie Reynolds and husband, Joe of Jonesboro, TX; brother, Paul Swartz and wife, Delores of Roswell, NM; grandchildren, Caralisa Ratliff, Wendy Lamb and husband, Brady, and Erin New and Michael Lamar of Flat, TX; great-grandchildren, Shayden Stewart, Piper Beck, Jaycee Bragewitz, McKinley Lamb, and Caleb Lamar.Memorials may be made to Layla Evetts, Texas First State Bank, 2501 TX 36, Gatesville, TX 76528.