Ted Swenson

Theodore August "Ted" Swenson, Jr., was born on December 7, 1932 in Tyler, Texas to Theodore and Ella Mae Swenson, and passed away peacefully at home at the age of 92 on January 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

After attending schools in Tyler, he graduated from The Kemper Military School in Booneville, Missouri and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Houston. Ted started as a chemist, working his way into management for Dow Chemical in Freeport, Texas, retiring in 1990. He served in the U.S. Navy as a ETN3 on the USS Orion. He married Esther Leigh in 1958 and they resided in Lake Jackson, Texas with their two sons. Ted and Esther moved to Tyler and resided there until her death in 1998. He married Martha Smith in 2000, moving to Emerald Bay in 2011 where they made many dear friends.

Ted was devoted to his family and was involved in his community. He enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing, and always had a contagious smile. Ted and Martha loved to travel and enjoyed exploring new places, including their cabin in Lake City, Colorado. A lifelong prankster, Ted entertained with many a limerick and joke. He was a member of Marvin Methodist Church, serving as usher for 20 years, as well as Emerald Bay Community Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rubena Swenson Dean and wife, Esther Swenson.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Swenson; sons, Stuart Swenson (Donna) of Noonday, Texas, and Danny Swenson of Angleton, Texas. Granddaughters, Kaylene Davison (Garrett) of Surfside Beach, Texas and Cassie Swenson of Angleton, Texas and great-granddaughter, Avery Courts of Angleton, Texas. Ted was also survived by his family by marriage including daughters, Teresa Tucker (Gerry), Mari Naegeli (James), Gina Logan (John) all of Bullard, Texas and sons, Michael Smith (Suzanne) of McKinney, Texas, David Smith (Melissa) of Whitehouse, Texas, Stephen Smith of Bullard, Texas and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on January 23, 2025 at Emerald Bay Community Church, with visitation one hour prior. Pallbearers will be Tommy Fitzgerald, Gerry Tucker, John Logan, James Naegeli, Sonny Stallings, and Scott King. Honorary pallbearers will be Walter Donalson, Ken Huff, and Randall Storm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice at 7925 South Broadway, Suite 1140, Tyler, Texas 75703 or Emerald Bay Church Benevolence Fund at 160 LaSalle, Bullard, Texas 75757.

The family would like to thank Heart to Heart Hospice, especially the long term caregivers Kendra, Jessica and Bryan for their loving care during Ted's illness.