Ernest “Speed” Swift passed away surrounded by love ones on November 2nd, 2024. He was born on November 30th, 1948 to Alice & Ernest Swift in San Antonio, TX on Lackland Air Force Base. He grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma, and graduated from Lawton High School. He went on to the Air Force in 1966 where he served in Vietnam as crew chief.
After leaving the Air Force he moved to Comanche, TX where his parents were. He went to work for Arthur Chevrolet and then went on to work at other places as a mechanic before going to work for Bayer for 30 years before retiring.
He met the love of his life, Fleta Henry in 1968 and married her on December 17th, 1971. They would have celebrated their 53rd anniversary this year. They shared the love of garage sales, collecting glassware, and other collectibles, and fishing.
Speed loved all things sports and music-related. He passed his love of music on to his daughters and his niece. He made sure they knew all of the top hits and the love of Jimmy Hendrix.
He was preceded in death by his mother Alice, father Ernest, brother & sister-in-law Sam & Melba Louder, mother-in-law Odessa Henry, sister-in-law Loretta Van Matre, brother-in-law David Williams, and niece Brandi Court.
He is survived by his loving wife Fleta Swift, brother and sister-in-law Dick & Pat Swift (Yukon, OK), daughter Christina Ray and husband David Isman (Crawfordville, Fl) daughter Michelle & husband Derek Noble (Lawton, Ok) Granddaughters Miranda, Megan, Mackenzie, and Kenedy. Special niece Melissa Thomas (Waco), great nephews & niece; Desmond & Andy, Aislinn & Josh, Elijah & Sophie. Great-great nephew Noah. Sister-in-law Dianna Williams (Mission), Several other nieces and nephews. His fur babies Sammie & Lady were the light of his life.
Special thanks to all of his wonderful friends who helped the family during his illness Chaz Bayer, Harvey Suarez, Phillip Levens, Tyler Jackson, Peggy Smith, Carol Haggerd, Linda Neill and so many more.
In place of flowers please consider donating to CAPA-Comanche All Pets Alive or American Cancer Society.
A Celebration of Life for “Speed” Swift will be announced at a later date.
