Howard Leroy Swaites

Howard LeRoy Swaites, 82, of Aztec, passed away on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, with loved ones by his side. He was born on April 29, 1932, in Syracuse, N.Y. Howard was a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1950 to 1954, during the Korean War, where he served on the peninsula. After leaving the Marine Corps, he and his wife Doris, settled in Southern California, where he began a career with GTE and raised four children. During his time with GTE he enjoyed playing Santa Clause at the company Christmas parties and other events. In the early 1980s, he retired from GTE and he and his wife Doris moved to Aztec. Howard was a life member of the Marine Corps League and the VFW. For many years he was active with Aztec senior center where he would revive his role as Santa Clause for Christmas parties.
Howard was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Doris and his sister Dixie Cucina. He is survived by his sister Alice "Babe" of Las Vegas, Nev.; son Ralph of Oxnard, Calif.; daughters, Dora and Dawn of Farmington and his son Alan of Kingman, Ariz. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. The family also wishes to extend a thank you to the staff at the Farmington Denny's for making him feel so special, so often, in his declining years.
A memorial will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the VFW Hall Post No. 614, 201 S. Park Ave. in Aztec.
Howard's care is entrusted to Alternative Choice Burial and Cremation, 804 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington, 505-325-9611 tel:505-325-9611. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at www.serenityandcompany.com http://www.serenityandcompany.com.