Charles (Chuck) Edward Swanson

Charles Edward (Chuck) SWANSON, 83 years of Stephenville, TX passed away at his home on December 7, 2022. He was born to Nels Gustav (Gus) and Caroline (Nettle) Swanson at Bear Creek, MT. He served in the US Army in Germany and elsewhere in Europe from 1962-1963 after which he received his honorable discharge and returned to Bear Creek and resumed the western style of life that he loved.  For years he guided hunts and broke wild horses with his childhood friend Bill Smith. He went on to become an accomplished rodeo competitor in both saddle bronc and wild cow milking. He was an NFR contestant and several times competed at the Calgary Stampede where he won championships in both events.  His friends nick named him Cougar because he was shy and quiet.  When he semi-retired as a competitor, he became qualified as a rodeo judge and participated at several championships including the NFR. He was a tough, but fair judge and had the respect and admiration of all contestants.

In 1969, he married a barrel racer, Julie McLaughlin, and initially lived near his home at Bear Creek, but soon moved to Canada, closer to Julie’s home, where he continued his cowboy ways of working on ranches, judging rodeos and raising horses. In 1976, his daughter Molly was born in Pincher Creek, Alberta. In 1980, they moved back to Montana and owned a small ranch near Bozeman before moving to Sims and then in 2005, they moved to Texas to be closer to their daughter Molly and her husband Turtle Powell.  He enjoyed spending time and watching his grandchildren Layne and Rayna at their junior rodeos.

Chuck is predeceased by his wife, Julie, and siblings, Rosemary, George and Ron. He is survived by his daughter Molly (Turtle) Powell and two grandchildren, Layne and Rayna.

Graveside service to be held at 2:00 pm Monday, December 12, 2022 at Pilot Knob Cemetery in Erath County. A livestream will be available on Facebook.