Allen D. Swafford

Allen (Don) Swafford was born in Hood River, Oregon on February 4, 1927.  He passed from this life at home in Reedsport, Oregon on October 15, 2021.

Don served in the US Army during World War II and the Korean War, ending his army career as a tech sergeant.  He traveled the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and Alaska before settling down on his homestead up Dean Creek Road, where he lived for 60 years prior to moving into Reedsport in 2017.  Don was a commercial fisherman out of Winchester Bay for 45 years.  He bought an unfinished boat hull upon which he built his salmon boat, the Bounty.  He entertained his friends and family with many stories about the people he knew around Winchester Bay during the heyday of commercial and sport fishing.  After retiring from fishing, Don kept busy around the homestead, always having a project to keep his hands occupied.  He enjoyed visits by his friends, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Don was predeceased by his parents, Allen F. Swafford and VaNita Swafford Jordin; his sister, Lyn Jordin Wheeler, his daughter, Becky Swafford Sheppler and her husband, Douglas Sheppler, a grandson, Nicholas Swafford, a granddaughter, Sarah Swafford, and nephew Jordin Wheeler.  He is survived by his wife, Jamie Owen Swafford, his son, Roy D. Swafford, his niece Gwen Wheeler, 12 grandchildren:  Cherise Swafford Harbour (Jesse), Nathan Swafford, Douglas Sheppler, Mitchell Sheppler (Christina), Brianne Leeman (Joe), Katie Swafford, Mindy Ginos (Brandon), Mistyann Scott (Nick), Zoey Thompson (Tyler), Liz Swafford, Victoria Biehn (Brandon), and Chloe Swafford.and 30+ great grandchildren.  He was also survived by his mother-in-law, Neona Brand Owen, brothers-in-law: David Owen (Kathy), Keith Owen (Robin), Randall Owen, Greg Owen (Carolyn) and sister-in-law Elaine Hill (Allen).

The family is planning a celebration of life for Don next spring.  If you’d like to receive information about the date/times, please contact Jamie at:  AllenSwafford@spike-jamie.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Allen D. Swafford, please visit our floral store.