Allen “Red” Swearingen, 80, of Abilene passed away on October 1st at his home after a short illness. He was born March 21, 1943 in South Dakota to Harry and Edith (Engel) Swearingen. He attended grade school in Havana, North Dakota and his freshman year at Sheyenne River Academy in Harvey, North Dakota before returning to South Dakota. He did farm work, worked for Dakota Sealed Storage and Texaco Co. gas station all before moving to Kansas in the spring of 1963. After arriving in Kansas, he worked for Beach Carb Shop, Bill Clark laying bricks. Skelly Oil Co. and carrying the US mail. In May of 1967 he found his place at Hoff’s Machine and Welding where he spent the next 42 years doing what he loved before retiring in June of 2009. He met and married Janet M. Korn in June of 1968 but later divorced in 1980. To this union two children were born. Tami and Terry.
Red spent his retirement years building valve cover race cars, repairing almost anything brought to him and keeping his yard immaculate. He was known by many as Red but the grandkids called him Poppa Red. He will be deeply missed by many and remembered with fondness for the many skills he passed on to those around him over the years.
He is survived by his constant and much loved 4-legged companion Diesel, his son Terry (Charlotte) Swearingen and daughter Tami (Paul) Gaston. Also surviving are 4 grandsons Dallas (Cody) Jenne, Dylon (Patty) Jenne, Blaine Gaston and Joel Gaston and 4 great grandkids Ava Jenne, Tucker Jenne, Tripp Jenne and Owen Jenne. Two sisters Ella (Harley) Bagley and Pat Hight. One sister-in-law Rosie Swearingen. Many nieces and nephews. He is proceeded in death by his parents, two sisters Clara Kimball and Luetta Enderson. Three brothers and 2 sisters-in-law, Clarence (Thelma) Swearingen, Stanley (Jeannie) Swearingen and Harry Swearingen. In October of 2011 he also lost his long-time companion Annie Gray.
There will be a celebration of life Sunday, October 8th at 2:00 p.m. at The River a favorite place Red enjoyed hanging out at. 1271 2100 Ave. Enterprise Kansas. Please join us for food, drinks, stories and fond memories. Memorial contributions may be made to the Red Swearingen Memorial fund for the benefit of a flag and plaque at The River. They may be mailed or dropped of at the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd, Abilene, Kansas 67410.