Ronald Darrel Swearengin

Ronald Darrel Swearengin, 61, Stockton, died at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. Ron was born in Gainsville, MO, on Jan. 17, 1949, the youngest son of Roy and Alaska (Herd) Swearengin.

He lived his first three years near Theodosia until Bull Shoals Lake took the family farm. From there they moved to the family farm near Collins where he lived until he graduated from Collins High School in 1968. Then he attended Vo-Tech School in Springfield for one year.

He married Clara Mae Keller on Sept. 6, 1969, and just celebrated their 40th anniversary. They moved to Belton for six years then on to Overland Park, KS, where they made their home and raised a family.

He moved back to Stockton in the late 90s to help his dad farm. He had already purchased land near Stockton where he built a shop to work in and a new home close to family.

He worked on cars most of his life, starting out by helping his older brothers on their cars as a gofer and farm machinery for his dad and others after moving to Stockton. He was happiest when farming with his dad on the family farm and continued to do so until his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Alaska Swearengin; one brother, Tessley (Red) Swearengin; and one nephew, Steven Willbanks.

He is survived by his wife, Clara, of the home; two sons, Ronald R. Swearengin, and wife, Danielle – Springfield, and Joseph Swearengin, and friend, Katie White - Stockton; four grandsons - Remington, Ethan, Austin and Logan Swearengin – Springfield, and Katie’s boys, Dustin and Joshua White - Stockton; one brother, Leslie Swearengin, and wife, Linda - Overland Park; two sisters, Wanda Cassell - Stockton and Thelma Underwood, and husband, Tony - El Dorado Springs; and many more aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.

Services were Saturday, Jan. 23, in Brumback Funeral Home with burial in Freeman-Holsapple Cemetery.