Shorty Swopes, 75, of Hereford passed away Tuesday, June 25, 2019 in Hereford. A Memorial Mass will be Friday, June 28, 2019 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church of Hereford at 10:00 AM. Arrangements and cremation services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford. Rosary will be Thursday evening at 6:00 PM at the funeral home.

Shorty was born January 11, 1944 in Pomona, California to Richard Thomas Swopes, Sr. and Mary Frances (Potter). At the age of 16, Shorty enlisted in the United States Navy serving for 30 years. Shorty retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer E-9, his retirement came, due to being told he had to shave his beard. Shorty was blessed with two sons. He later remarried Sandra "Sandy" Swopes on May 16, 1985. He and Sandy moved to Nevada for a short time then making a move to New Mexico. In 1990 Shorty and Sandy moved to Hereford and instantly knew this was "home". Shorty worked for "Ray Trucking" of Hereford and later purchased his own truck, "Aero Puerco". Later through the years he became employed with Messer Construction. In 2005, Shorty made a life changing decision to become a Catholic. Shorty's hobbies were Harley Davidson Motorcycles, steam trains, the U.S. Navy and above all else his family.

Shorty leaves behind to cherish his memories his wife Sandra "Sandy" Swopes of Hereford; 2 sons John Paul Swopes and his wife Mary of Lindsay, CA; Richard Thomas Swopes III of Clayton, NM; a daughter Julie Kathleen O'Brien and her husband James "Rusty" Cornelius of Amarillo; a brother Clay Hoag of Fallbrook, CA; 2 sisters Virginia Swopes of Merced, CA. and Debi Womack and husband James of Oregon; 17 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren

Memorials can be sent to the Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 368, Woodland Hills, CA. 91365 or to the St. Anthony's School Endowment Fund, 114 Sunset Dr. Hereford, TX. 79045

You may go online and sign the guestbook at www.mendezandmullins.com