Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Paragould Personalities ...
 |
| Frank M. Witowski Jr./Daily Press Retiree Kenneth Swan serves Paragould in many ways. He is secretary of the Lion’s Club and is president of the Greene County Museum board. |
Kenneth Swan
By FRANK M. WITOWSKI JR.
fwitowski@paragoulddailypress.com
He may have moved into Paragould as a widowed retiree eight years ago but he is staying busy serving the community.
Kenneth Swan was born in the Fender community east of Pocahontas on July 3, 1931. “I tell everyone I was almost a firecracker,” Swan said.
During part of his childhood, he lived near where the current Walnut Ridge Airport lies today. He went to Moran School which was a two-room community school west of Hoxie. He moved to Hoxie after his dad quit farming in 1946 and graduated from the school in 1950.
Swan worked at a grocery store earning money to attend Arkansas State University. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in business education in 1955 and had enlisted in the National Guard while in college.
“Three weeks after college, I reported to Fort Benning, Ga. and spent a few years on active duty,” he said. Swan went into the service as an infantry officer and left as a captain. He was stationed in Fort Chaffe, Ark., Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Polk in La.
“My battalion commissioner offered me a regular army commission if I’d make a career out of it,” Swan said. But Swan decided to put family first. Swan continued his education and earned his Master’s in Science and Education, a specialist degree in education and a Ph. D.
Swan taught seven years in the Pocahontas School District and taught one year at Walnut Ridge High School.
He served as an elementary principal for 21 years in St. Charles, Mo. When the new elementary principal was built in St. Charles, he was chosen to become principal of the school though he never applied for the job.
Swan said his greatest accomplishments were becoming an officer in the United States Army, working with young people and opening the new Coverdale School in St. Charles, Mo.
After relocating to Paragould from a suburb in Phoenix, Az., the retired widower quickly became involved in community service.
“I’ve been one to always get involved in things,” he said.
Swan has been a museum board member for three years and is president of the Greene County Museum.
“What I want to get done as president is to see the museum operated like a business with room sponsors and Friends of the Museum to meet our monthly expenses,” Swan said.
He is active in the Paragould Lion’s Club and currently serves as secretary. He was president of the Lion’s Club in 2004 and 2005.
He is a life member of the Military Officers of America and serves as president of the Northeast Arkansas chapter. He was treasurer the past six years. He is a member of the Greene County Retired Teachers Association, Arkansas Retired Teachers Association and Missouri Retired Teacher’s Association and a life member of the Arkansas National Guard Association.
Swan’s favorite activity is having coffee with his friends Jay McDaniel, Carl Weaver and Major McDaniel.
Kenneth Swan was born in the Fender community east of Pocahontas on July 3, 1931. “I tell everyone I was almost a firecracker,” Swan said.
During part of his childhood, he lived near where the current Walnut Ridge Airport lies today. He went to Moran School which was a two-room community school west of Hoxie. He moved to Hoxie after his dad quit farming in 1946 and graduated from the school in 1950.
Swan worked at a grocery store earning money to attend Arkansas State University. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in business education in 1955 and had enlisted in the National Guard while in college.
“Three weeks after college, I reported to Fort Benning, Ga. and spent a few years on active duty,” he said. Swan went into the service as an infantry officer and left as a captain. He was stationed in Fort Chaffe, Ark., Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Polk in La.
“My battalion commissioner offered me a regular army commission if I’d make a career out of it,” Swan said. But Swan decided to put family first. Swan continued his education and earned his Master’s in Science and Education, a specialist degree in education and a Ph. D.
ADVERTISEMENT |
He served as an elementary principal for 21 years in St. Charles, Mo. When the new elementary principal was built in St. Charles, he was chosen to become principal of the school though he never applied for the job.
Swan said his greatest accomplishments were becoming an officer in the United States Army, working with young people and opening the new Coverdale School in St. Charles, Mo.
After relocating to Paragould from a suburb in Phoenix, Az., the retired widower quickly became involved in community service.
“I’ve been one to always get involved in things,” he said.
Swan has been a museum board member for three years and is president of the Greene County Museum.
“What I want to get done as president is to see the museum operated like a business with room sponsors and Friends of the Museum to meet our monthly expenses,” Swan said.
He is active in the Paragould Lion’s Club and currently serves as secretary. He was president of the Lion’s Club in 2004 and 2005.
He is a life member of the Military Officers of America and serves as president of the Northeast Arkansas chapter. He was treasurer the past six years. He is a member of the Greene County Retired Teachers Association, Arkansas Retired Teachers Association and Missouri Retired Teacher’s Association and a life member of the Arkansas National Guard Association.
Swan’s favorite activity is having coffee with his friends Jay McDaniel, Carl Weaver and Major McDaniel.
 |
||
| Reynolds Lake project waits on permits to begin excavation |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of paragoulddailypress.com.
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
Please note: We provide our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.