Clyde Arlyn Swift, born to Forres Swift and Hazel Ball Swift on January 26, 1922 in Clay Center, Kansas, passed away on April 2, 2016 at the age 94 at Homelake Veteran’s Center in Monte Vista, CO.

Known by all as a man who never met a stranger, he loved horses and all things horse-related from early childhood. He rode broncs and won numerous calf roping events as a youngster and in his adult life.

At the age of four, he crossed the Great Plains in a Model A with his mother Hazel Ball and three brothers, Vaughn, Harold, and Quentin. Meanwhile, his father, Forres Swift came by rail with a team of horses. The family eventually settled in Mosca, soon adding brother Marlyn and sister Marianna to the family. There he spent his youth and met his future wife Eileen Murray when he was 15.

Clyde graduated from Mosca High School in 1941, and after attending Adams State College for one semester, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in October 1942 and assigned to Battery B 618th Field Artillery Observation Battalion. He was deployed in May, 1943 to the Aleutian Islands, where he fought on Attu Island during the unsung “1000 Mile War”, the only military campaign fought on American soil during WWII.

During his deployment, his military occupational specialty was Water Supply Technician for The Corp of Engineers. He was wounded in combat on May 29, 1943 for which he was awarded a Purple Heart. He also received a Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon Victory Medal, and Marksmanship Medal. He was honorably discharged on November 3, 1945 at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma.

He returned to the San Luis Valley on November 3, 1945, marrying Eileen just a few weeks later on November 28, 1945 in Manzanola, Colorado. They were married for 69 years at the time of her passing.

Back from the war, Clyde returned to life as a cowpuncher and rancher. Among his many achievements, he is credited with breaking and training several of renowned horseman Hank Wiescamp’s top horses, for whom he worked for over 20 years. In both 1946 and 1947, Clyde competed and won the calf roping event at Monte Vista’s famous Ski-High Stampede (Colorado’s oldest pro rodeo), riding one of Hank’s horses. Clyde was also an accomplished Paint and Quarter Horse race horse trainer and breeder of many notable horses including Swift String, Vaquero String, Boonaleta, Missy Boone, Mo Boone, and world record holder Nita Boone.

Several articles and stories about Clyde have appeared in horse magazines, books and newspapers, including articles and references in many of the works of popular writer, Frank Holmes. Clyde was also a frequent subject in the artworks of his adopted brother Bill Moyers, who later became a well-known figure in Western art.

Clyde is survived by his two daughters Jewell Ann (Hal) Meredith and Myrna Bell Swift, his grandchildren Travis Witkowski of Berlin, Germany, Jill (John) Corbin of Savannah, GA, and step grandchildren Dan Witkowski of Telluride, CO, and June Richie of Broomfield, CO. He also has many nieces, nephews and friends around the country. He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, and siblings Vaughn, Harold, Quentin, Marlyn, and Marianna Haynie, as well as his adopted brother Bill Moyers.

The family would like to thank all caregivers, the medical staff of Homelake Veterans Center, and friends who were so compassionate and attentive while he was a Homelake resident.

A service to celebrate his life and achievements will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Homelake Resident Benefit Fund, in Memory of Clyde and Eileen Swift, PO Box 97, Home Lake, CO 81135.

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