Tony Robert Swafford

Tony Robert Swafford, of Denton, Texas, passed away on November 4, 2026, in Denton. He was born on November 20, 1952, in Denton, and remained connected to the place where his life began.

Tony grew up in Ponder, Texas. As a child, he attended First Baptist Church in Ponder. This was the start of his lifelong Christian faith. As a teen, he worked on farms, drove tractors, and commercial trucks. He graduated from Ponder High School.

Tony was married for 42 years to Charla (Stockton) Swafford. Though life eventually led them on different paths, they remained dedicated to their two beloved children, Shelly and Jay, both of Denton. Life was further fulfilled as Tony became a Papa to his 3 grandchildren: Mackenzie Applin and Kenny and Georgia Swafford. Tony was an active and dedicated grandparent. Husband, father, and Papa were his favorite roles.

Tony will also be remembered as an educator- a calling that reflected a life of purpose and service to others. He began work in Denton ISD as a bus driver while attending UNT, then known as North Texas State. Eventually, he became a teacher and coach in Denton. Tony then earned a master’s degree and made sure everyone knew his degrees said North Texas State University, not UNT. He loved his Mean Green.

His next career opportunity was as assistant principal at Calhoun Middle School, and subsequently as principal. Tony served as principal from 1984-1993. Life, work and service eventually led Tony and his family to Brownwood High School in Brownwood, Texas where he served as building principal for 5 years. After this, Tony found his way back to where it all began, returning to serve in Denton ISD as Director of Secondary Education. This role allowed Tony to utilize his experience as teacher and administrator to help engage and inspire the next generation of educators. Tony retired from Denton ISD in 2003 as assistant superintendent.

Teaching was a lifelong calling for Tony, so his first retirement did not last long. He began working with Ruby Payne and aha! Process, guiding teachers working with Title I students. Then the school walls called him back. Tony was a successful principal at Texas Can Academy, serving at multiple campuses in Dallas, Farmers Branch and Fort Worth. Here, he helped hundreds of students return to high school, earn credits, and ultimately graduate. He was beyond proud of those kids. His final role in education was managing grant funding for Texas CAN Academy.

In total, Tony worked in Texas public schools for 52 years, and he loved every second of it.

Beyond his work and education, he found joy traveling. He visited 49 states. When Shelly and Jay were little, they had many family road trips full of adventures (along with a few misadventures) making wonderful memories. Tony especially enjoyed visiting Yellowstone National Park, a place he loved and returned to in memory and affection.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Swafford and Georgia (Lee) Thomason, his step-father Doug Thomason, and his sister Dyann. He is survived by Charla Swafford, his daughter Shelly Swafford and granddaughter Mackenzie Applin, his son Jay (Heather) Swafford and their two children Kenny and Georgia Swafford, his sister Lee Lyles and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors, 2025 W University Dr, Denton, TX 76201. A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Ponder, 101 S. 156, Ponder, TX 76259.

Tony Robert Swafford will be remembered with respect and affection by those who knew him. His memory will continue to live on in the hearts and memories of his family, friends and students.