David William Swan, Sr. "Ranger"'s Obituary
David William Swan, Sr, age 79, passed away peacefully, in his sleep, Wednesday morning, May 20, 2026, in Henderson, Texas.
Born June 30, 1946, in Parkersburg, West Virginia to Eugene K Swan and Audrey Geraldine Swan but growing up in Marietta, Ohio. Later, he moved to Henderson, Texas with his family and enrolled as a Junior at Henderson High School. He was voted Best Dancer by his classmates and graduated Henderson High School in 1964.
David is survived by his son David William Swan, Jr, daughter Barbara Jolene Schermerhorn and husband Kevin, daughter Audrey Rachel Van Benthuysen and husband Alex; grandchildren Erin Hulsman and husband David, Ciera Logan and husband Judge, Ryan Schermerhorn and wife Cecili, Abigail Schermerhorn and Clementine Van Benthuysen; great grandchildren Aliegha and Valley Logan. He is preceded in death by his parents Eugene K and Audrey Geraldine Swan and sister Mary Jolene Williams.
He worked different jobs including working at a dye manufacturing plant in Ohio where his dad Eugene worked for 38 years. The dye was used for the Vietnam war. Although David only worked at “The Boiler” for 6 months, he told detailed stories, even in his final years about being covered from head to toe with orange dye each day after working a full shift.
He was also a truck driver but settled on being a car and motorcycle mechanic. He could repair almost any vehicle but was no fan of foreign-made cars and Chevys. He loved Fords! In fact, his favorite car he owned was a black 1960 Ford Thunderbird, special order, standard transmission, overdrive, no power, no air, roll-up windows, 360 HP 352. “Fastest car in my high school” to quote David. In the 1980s, he opened his own mechanic shop called Swan Enterprises.
Most of his friends knew him as Ranger, a handle he started using when he joined motorcycle clubs in the 1960s and 1970s. His handle on the CB radio was Ranger while trucking and the nickname stuck with him for life.
He also raced Harleys as a younger man and inspired his love of riding, building and racing Harleys with his son who he affectionately referred to as Junior. He traveled across the country, enjoying drag racing events and rallies such as Texas Hog State Rally, NTNOA LOP Rallye and the 60th annual South Dakota Sturgis rally. In fact, he was Runner Up at the Texas Scooter Times 4th Annual Dinosaur Team race in 2015 at age 68. He was a member racer of the American Motorcycle Racing Association (AMRA).
He was also an artist, left-handed, and could draw amazing images with only pencil and paper, observation and imagination.
David loved music. He enjoyed supporting the local blues venues in Dallas like Scooners and Hole in the Wall or just enjoying life with friends, a cold one and great music to compliment the moments.
Once he was unable to live independently, David’s last 7 years were spent at Henderson Health and Rehab. Several of the staff would always say how sweet he was and dote over him. We are especially grateful to Joe who regularly pulled David into physical therapy, put him on a stationary bike with an iPad showing motorcycle videos and races and let him pedal away.
Much of David’s life was synonymous with freedom, adventure and a bit of rebellion. Riding was one of the joys of his life, it was therapeutic, healing, making him feel alive. And now, he’s riding to paradise with a heavenly destination. Live to ride, ride to live.
The funeral service will be held at:
Rader Funeral Home
800 Kilgore Dr Henderson, TX 75652
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 10am
No graveside service, but there will be a procession to the cemetery following the funeral:
Rusk County Memorial Gardens 5013 Highway 259 South
Henderson, TX 75652
Pallbearers: Jim Burgess, David Wilson, David Hulsman, Ryan Schermerhorn
What’s your fondest memory of David?
What’s a lesson you learned from David?
Share a story where David's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with David you’ll never forget.
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