Born in Satanta, Kansas October 11, 1953, to Harrel & Hazel Swink.  Following graduation from Satanta High School, Eldon attended computer/business school to learn programming in Wichita, Kansas.  His first job after business school was for Happiness Incorporated in Kingman, Kansas, which made bumper stickers, round window stickers and greeting cards.  Their main point of sale was Stuckey’s and Nickerson Farms.  They made location specific bumper stickers (Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, etc.).  Following his 2 years with Happiness, Inc., Eldon went to work for Santa Fe Trail Transportation in Wichita, Kansas where he was employed for 12 ½ years.  He was hired as a programmer and ended as programming manager.  He then went to Jones Truck Lines, Inc. in Springdale, Arkansas for 5 years.  Following Jones Truck Lines, Eldon & Fern moved to Holland, Michigan where Eldon went to work for TNT-Holland Motor Express, Inc. as a team leader in freight operations systems from 1991 to 1994.  In 1994 they moved back to Arkansas and Eldon started working as a Senior Systems Analyst for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in Bentonville.  He remained with Wal-Mart for 23 ½ years until his retirement.  His job at Wal-Mart involved a lot of travel, mostly converting stores to Wal-Mart systems.  His most memorable travel was to China, Japan, Chile, and 5 countries in Central America, including Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras & Nicaragua.

Eldon accepted Jesus as his personal savior in September 1988 and was baptized shortly after.  He attended and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Kimberling City.  Eldon was involved in many programs through the church, including Christmas Shoebox for Kids, the backpack program during the school year for kids to have food over the weekends, Sleep in Heavenly Peace (which is single size beds for kids) “no kid sleeps on the floor” program.  He also participated in Meals on Wheels while at Wal-Mart for several years.

Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, Harrel & Hazel Swink, sisters Elva Swink, Merna Swink, Tammy Swink & LaVesta Locklin.

Eldon is survived by his wife of 34 years, Fern E. (Young) Swink.  His daughter, Kim Swink, brother, Merlin Swink [Kansas], step-children, Tommy (LeAnn) Locke (Fordland, MO); Heather (Jeff) Youngblood (Battlefield, MO); grandchildren, Brandan (Becca) Locke (Springfield, MO); Shannon Locke (Rogersville, MO) & Hailey Youngblood (Springfield, MO), 1 great-granddaughter, Emersyn Locke (Springfield, MO) and many nieces & nephews including great and great-great nieces & nephews.

Services for Eldon will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at the First Baptist Church in Kimberling City. (Due to water damage Eldon’s service will be held at 161 Heavens Way Kimberling City , Mo) Interment will be at 3:00 pm Wednesday at West Finley Cemetery near Forland. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East.