ODESSA Ralph R. Swafford, age 80, a retired educator, was born June 30, 1929, in Sheridan, Ark., to Lois and Charlie Swafford. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1948 and received his B.S.E. from Henderson University in 1951.
Ralph received his Master's degree in history from the University of North Texas. He also received an administrative certification from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Ralph served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. He served on Guam and on

the Mt. McKinley, the flagship for the Pacific Amphibious Forces.

Ralph and Wanda Bannister married on March 17, 1956, later moving to Odessa in August of that same year. Their two children, Eva Lois and Robert, were born in Odessa.

Ralph was an educator for ECISD for 31 years. He taught at Odessa High School for 19 years and then worked as the Social Studies Coordinator for 12 years. For 10 years, he was the director of the Summer School Program. He taught Government in the evening extension program for Odessa College for 21 years.

He was a member and officer of several professional organizations including TSTA, the Texas Counselors Association and the West Texas Social Studies Association. During his career, he served on many committees including the textbook committee and drug education training, and he coordinated the student cultural leadership training campaigns.

Ralph was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher for the Upstairs, Downstairs Adult Class. He sang in the church choir for over 40 years and served as a church deacon.

He was co-Scoutmaster for Troop #18 for several years, after being Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop #197. He took boys to Scout camp many summers, as well as serving as a Scout Merit Badge counselor. He was also involved in the Order of the Arrow.

Ralph was a board member and officer for the Presidential Museum. He made major donations of books and other materials to the Presidential Museum Library.

After retirement, Ralph and Wanda were constantly involved in the care and activities of their grandchildren. They traveled extensively and enjoyed their comprehensive home library for research and pleasure.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Wanda, of Odessa; a daughter, Eva Lois Kalenak and her husband, Tony; son, Robert Swafford and his wife, Leslie Libby; the grandchildren who were truly the "Light of his Life" in his retirement years, one granddaughter, Patricia O'Michael, and five grandsons, Ben, Michael and Kyle Kalenak, and Richard and Samuel Swafford; and one special angel, great-grandson, Arron O'Michael.

A memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. James Longstreet officiating. A visitation of family and friends will follow the Memorial service in the Fellowship Hall.

The family thanks each person at the Naidu Clinic for many years of excellent care of Ralph, and also the Home Hospice Staff, who seems to be by a divine design.

Online condolences may be left at www.mem.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa.