SWINSON, STARKEY WARREN,
69, of Tampa and Cocoa, died Saturday (April 22, 1989).
He was born in City Point
and split his residence between Tampa and Cocoa most of his life. He was
a citrus grower and an Army veteran of World War II, having served in
the 82nd Airborne. He was a member of the American Legion and Disabled
American Veterans.
Survivors include his
wife, Edna; four sons, Edward E., Winter Haven, Michael W., Tampa,
Samuel Malcolm, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Robert Swett, Atlanta ; three
daughters, Lynn McAfee, Tampa, Patricia Hoops, Lakewood, N.J., and Robin
Simpson, Tampa; two brothers, Samuel, Cordele, Ga., and Edward S.,
Dublin, Ga.; a sister, Mary V. Spell, Orlando; nine grandchildren; and
three great-grandchildren. Curry & Son Funeral Home, Tampa.
(St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg, FL, 25 Apr
1989, Page 6 - courtesy of Tedd Cocker) |
Grave marker for
Starkey W, Swinson in the Marie Baptist Church Cemetery, Dublin
(Lauren county), Georgia.
Born in City Point
(Brevard county) Florida, Starkey enlisted at Camp Blanding, FL on 21
October 1941, the day after the 508th was activated.
Despite the
coincidence of place and time, it was not until 10 August 1944
that Starkey was transferred from the 11th Replacement Depot in
England to Company D, 508th.
Pfc Swinson made
the jump into Holland and came through unscathed. In
Belgium, however, he was wounded on 4 January 1945 and was
evacuated to the Hq 55th General Hospital, 12th Med Hospital
Center. On 13 February 1945, his wounds were seen to be
serious enough to warrant transferring him to the Parachute
Replacement School where he could receive specialized treatment.
Pfc Swinson was
awarded the Bronze Service Arrowhead for the Holland campaign
and Airborne operations.
He was discharged
on 23 November 1945. |