Tony Swarts
Tony Swarts
Charles A. (Tony) Swarts was born September 15, 1945. His family lived in Ottumwa, Iowa; Tony attended public schools k-12 graduating in 1963. He attended NEMO College; in Kirksville, Missouri for 3 years and then enlisted in the US Air Force serving as an Intelligence Specialist from 1966-1970. He married Vicki AIlen in 1967; he was stationed at Offutt AF base before deployment to Viet Nam (1968-69) He was with the 22 Tac Air Support Squadron. Upon return to the US Tony was stationed at ENT AF base; promoted to Sargent and upon release from active duty resumed his college career. Tony's greatest joy was his daughter and her family; especially his beloved grandchildren. He was generous with time for friends; extended family; church and community activities. The greater part of his professional life was with Casey's Convenience stores; Apco Oil; a family owned book store; he relocated to Ottumwa where he rehabilitated houses for rent and resale. He was known for his great sense of humor; his smile; love of life; laughter and positive attitude which helped him through his last (pain filled) 15 years of life; the list was extensive and his service in the RSV was the root cause of many of those health issues. His greatest desire was to see his grandchildren graduate but he passed from his earthly home on December 26. 2013. His daughter asked people from all chapters of his Iife to send letters to him when he was in hospice care and she read them to him on Dec. 24. 2013. The common theme was "if Iife is about leaving people; places and things better off than when you found it Tony is the absolute epitome. He is like an extra dad, a dad for al I of us, a brother and a best friend rolled into one. Tony Swarts is one of the bravest; kindest and funniest people I have had the privilege of knowing; we do not want to lose you; may God be with you.