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On January 22, 2024, David Swope was once again with the love of his life, Lucille. No truer words can describe David than Bobby Collier’s: I’m just a farmer, Plain and simple. Not of royal birth but rather, a worker of the earth.
David was born in Cloudcroft, NM in the house he and Lucille raised their family. Growing up, David played basketball and football in high school. Raised by his grandmother, he worked the family farm and ranch driving cattle on horseback to Alamogordo for the winter and then back to Cloudcroft in the spring. At 19, he asked his high school sweetheart to marry him. In 1958, he purchased the land from his grandmother and siblings.
David’s early work years included road construction, refueling jets at Holloman AFB and refilling propane tanks for Desert Air Propane to Cloudcroft and the surrounding area's residents. In 1965, David bought his first school bus and over the next four and a half decades had the bus contract for Cloudcroft Schools. David and Lucille were key supporters of many extracurricular activities, especially sports, both at home and away games, and events. A new transportation facility is named in honor of their dedication to the Cloudcroft school system as well as the community at large. In 1979, David bought Cloudcroft Concrete which he ran for the next 26 years. Many homes in Cloudcroft had their foundations poured by David.
Even after their own kids and grandkids had graduated from Cloudcroft Schools, he continued to attend most of the football, basketball, and volleyball games as well as FFA events well into his 80s. David, along with Lucille, were members of the Sideliners which support Cloudcroft Athletics. Both were awarded Honorary Chapter Farmer Degrees (the highest honor bestowed on individuals). In 2002, David and Lucille were awarded Citizens of the Year.
Many weekends and holidays were spent camping, going to Elephant Butte, and traveling around New Mexico. Once retired, David and Lucille traveled to more exotic places including the Caribbean, Mexico, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Tennessee, Las Vegas, Laughlin, Austin, Catalina Island, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and Big Bend.
David was preceded in death his wife, Lucille and son, Jimmy. He lives on in spirit in his sons, Dave (wife Dee) and Norman (wife Libby); grandchildren, Dawna, Shawna, Carl, Brandon, Savannah, Robbi, David, and Drew. He also leaves behind 15 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 1:00pm at Alamogordo Funeral Home.
The Swope family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.
To sign the online register book, please visit www.alamogordofuneralhome.org.
