George David Swofford

George David Swofford was born May 20, 1937 in Lampe, Missouri, in Stone County, and entered his heavenly home on December 22, 2017 at his home in Mountain Grove, Missouri. George was born to Melvin Amos and Hattie Lou (Bonham) Swofford. He graduated from Cassville High School in 1956 where he played football. His love for high school football and youth sports would stay with him for the rest of his adult life.

George moved to the Mountain Grove area in 1958 after his family sold their farm that would later be covered up by Table Rock Lake. His family purchased a farm south of Mountain Grove and George worked with his family for a couple of years prior to starting his own farm. He married his red-headed beauty, Willie Lee Porter, in 1962. They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. They enjoyed their family of four children and taught them of a faith in God, the value of hard work, and to “always doing the right thing.” George was known for telling his children, “get your education and go as far as you can because no one can take that away from you.” Together, he and Willie milked cows for 25 years and raised beef cattle with their family. George loved being on the farm and raising cattle. He was known for living a life of hard work and had big, strong, calloused work hands that could be intimidating in his handshake.

George had a true passion for fox hunting and running Walker fox hounds. While his hearing was still good, it was common to find him sitting around a fire at night listening to his hounds and telling big stories with Dane Southerland, Hearl Quillon, Dickey Barnett, and Elmer Banks, just to name of a few. Hunting brought out the love of competition in George. He shared his competitive nature with his family and thoroughly enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids play sports and participate in their communities. He greatly enjoyed working with the youth programs his kids were involved in and fondly recalled his times coaching and getting to know many of the youth of the community and being a role model for many young men.

George took great pride and joy in his family. He loved each one of them and was very proud of his brothers and sisters and his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. George loved telling stories of his childhood growing up in a family of eight siblings. He was also known for his jokester type mentality and always enjoyed a good practical joke. George faithfully attended the South Street Church of God and quietly lived as a follower of Christ. He served on the Board of Trustees at the church for 45 years and was a man of true integrity and humbleness. He had a tremendous impact on his family and will be deeply missed by many who are thankful for his life and legacy.

George was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Pauline Plummer, and brothers, Darrell and Dewey Swofford.

Survivors include his wife, Willie Swofford, four children, David Swofford and wife, Debbie, Dani Helm and husband Bob, Daniel Swofford and wife, Erin, and Brad Swofford and wife, Kara, grandchildren, Maddie, Ciara and husband, Nick, Julia and James, Greg, Sarah, Hannah and husband, Eric, Abby and husband, Garret, Taylor, Jacey, Zach, Bryce, Nate, Quinn, Erinn, and Ryann, three great-grandsons, Kolby, Hesston and Braden, four sisters, Berniece and husband, Leland Van Fosson, Lanora Sanders, Melva and husband, Chuck Peterson, Wanda Sue and husband, Jack Smith, and one sister-in-law, Bobbye Ward. George is also loved by an abundance of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.