Kay E. 'Red' Swarts
Kay Emery "Red" Swarts, 81,
died Saturday (March 30, 2019) at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was
born Nov. 27, 1937, in Newton to Abraham Artman and Margaret Ida
(Eberhart) Swarts. Kay went by the nickname of Red, owing to his
naturally red hair. In fact, many of his friends never knew his given
name, only knowing him as Red.
After graduating from Newton High
School in 1956, Red went into the Army and served overseas in the
124th Signal Company as a radio operator. Once back stateside, he
worked for several years at Detroiter Mobile Homes in Hutchinson
before starting his final career at Southwestern Bell Telephone in
1966 until his retirement in 1998.
After retirement, Red became a hobby
farmer and raised cattle for a number of years. He often said if he
had to do it over again, being in the ranching business would have
been his preferred lifelong profession.
On Dec. 22, 1961, Red married Lyola
Lorraine Fallis at her home in Hutchinson. They divorced in 1977.
They had two children, Casey Allen and wife, Sharon, and children,
Elizabeth and Justin of Hutchinson; and Troy Lee and children: Joshua
of Wichita and Nikki Megyri of Hutchinson. He is also survived by
three great-grandchildren; his brother, Lynn Edward Swarts of Newton;
and sister, Gloria Ann Shephard of Oregon.
Red was preceded in death by his
parents; sister, Wanda Joyleen Dyck; and ex-wife, Lyola Lorraine
Wright.
An avid motorcyclist in his younger
days, Red began running long distances after a knee injury. His
running led directly to his long love affair with bicycling, which he
enjoyed almost to the end. During his 80th year, Red racked up over
4,000 miles on his various bicycles before succumbing to pancreatic
cancer.
Another favorite pastime was drinking
coffee at McDonald's with his buddies, Monday through Friday, come
rain or shine.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday (April 5, 2019) and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (April 6, 2019)
at Elliott Mortuary. The family will be present from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor
Guard at 3 p.m. No other services are planned. Cremation will take
place.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be
made to Cancer Council of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary,
1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
