Lex Howard Swofford, 90, passed away peacefully at his home on February 10, 2026, with his wife and daughters at his side.

 

Lex was born on February 4, 1936, on his family’s farm in Everton, Arkansas, to Gale Leonard Swofford and May Brewer. He graduated from Valley Springs High School in 1954 and maintained lifelong friendships with numerous classmates.

 

After graduation, Lex worked for several years in Wichita, Kansas, before joining the U.S. Army in June 1958. He trained as a radio operator for the Signal Corps at Fort Monmouth, in New Jersey, then was assigned to overseas duty in Japan and South Korea. In 1961, Lex honorably completed his military service and returned to civilian life in Kansas City, Missouri. That year he began his 37-year career with the General Motors Company and, after years of exchanging love letters during his service, married Ellen Kilgore, his devoted wife of more than 64 years.

 

Lex was a kind and gentle soul with a love of learning and adventure. He was a voracious reader throughout his life and traveled abroad in 24 countries. His work as an Electrician Journeyman for GM earned his family a comfortable living. He and Ellen built a home near the city park in Sugar Creek, Missouri, in 1971, where they raised their daughters and spent many happy decades.

 

Upon retirement in 1998, Lex fell in love with the game of golf and was on the greens every week for nearly 25 years. The sport kept him fit and active and he made many friendships along the way. He was a member of Adams Pointe Golf Club, Blue Springs, Missouri, where he hit his second hole-in-one at the ripe young age of 87. He also was a proud member and volunteer of Elks Lodge No. 2509, Blue Springs.

 

Above all, Lex was a devoted, supportive and loving husband, father and grandfather, who was ever-present in the lives and activities of all his offspring. His entire family gathered with him on February 4, just days before his passing, to celebrate and honor the man they so loved on his 90th birthday.

 

Lex was preceded in death by his parents, Gale and May Swofford.  He is survived by his loving wife, Ellen; and his forever grateful daughters, Kathryn Harvel (Michael), and Sandra Swofford (Peter). He was a cherished grandfather to Vincent (Sara), Kate, Ben (Joan), and Jack (Molly), and a proud great-grandfather to Emilia, Eliza, Benjamin, Clara and Francis.