Orval J Swander, Jr

Date of Death: Sep 24, 2024

Age: 94

Ocala, FL

Orval J. Swander Jr., age 94, passed away on September 24, 2024, in Ocala, Florida. Born in Topeka, Kansas, on May 9, 1930, Orval attended Topeka High School and the University of Kansas, where he studied business. He was a respected entrepreneur in the home improvement industry in the greater Kansas City area, where he lived and worked until moving to Ocala in 1984. There he started a retail paint and art supply business, Red Swan Art, which he operated with his long-time partner, Barbara Erdman, until they closed the store in 2011. Orval is survived by his children, John Swander (Tammy), Leslie Upham (Stephen), and Holly Swander (Gregg Fournier), six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orval J. Swander Sr. and Merle J. (Jarrett) Swander, his sisters Connie and Dottie, his ex-wife and mother of his children, Shirley Hubbell, and Ms. Erdman. Known for his masterful bridge-playing skills, Orval competed in many regional and national bridge tournaments throughout the 1960s and 70s alongside his (then) wife Shirley. During that time, he applied his sharp wit and love of language toward writing numerous feature articles for The Bridge World magazine. In later years he developed a walking obsession, working his way up to 70 miles per week and eventually logging more than 25,000 miles over 20 years at Jervey Gantt Park in Ocala. Orval also was a war history buff and could readily recount detailed stories from the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, the Civil War, the First and Second World Wars, and many others. In accordance with his unique wishes, Orval's remains will be scattered whimsically, fulfilling the prophecy he often humorously foretold. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Marion County, Florida, honoring Orval's love for animals. His memory will live on through the many lives he touched and the charitable acts performed in his honor.