Bobby Ray Swanson

Bobby Ray Swanson, 85 was born August 9, 1938, in Odessa, Texas to Ina Lucille Jackson and Alton Swanson. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1956. 

Bobby married Shirley Jeannette Reynolds on December 18,1957

Bobby worked as a truck driver at Sunset Motor Freight until 1971. 

In 1972 Bobby started his career as an owner operator of a dry-cleaning business. As the business grew, Bobby would move to a new address, ending with Model Cleaner at University and Grandview.

Due to illness Bobby sold his business and retired in 2023 after serving Odessa for 52 years. 

Bobby was an active volunteer with the Odessa Boys Club as a basketball coach, Pop Warner football coach and as president of the Boys Club. He was a member of Faith Tabernacle Church where he served as a Deacon. 

Bobby met Janet Setliff in 2014 and they married on October 31, 2017. Janet became a vital member at Model Cleaners, helping in all aspects of the business. Bobby and Janet met in grief share Bobby and Janet met at Grief Share after they had both lost their spouses. They listened to each other’s hearts every week. Months later after one of their Grief Share meetings, Bobby asked if he could walk Janet to her car and he asked her out.

Once they went out and spent time together, they knew they didn’t what to be apart, so they went to the court house and got married! Bobby and Janet enjoyed spending everyday together, especially after they both retired. They went to weekly estate sales, dance club, and church. Bobby and Janet also enjoyed following the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Braves! 

Bobby is preceded in death by his parents, Alton and Ina; and his brother, Harold.

Bobby is survived by his daughters, Patti Stanford and Sherri Searcy of Odessa; sisters, Norma Wren and JoAnn Lane; four grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. 

Bobby is also survived by his wife, Janet; five stepchildren: Jennifer, Jayme, Jaynel, Geneva, and Greg. Ten step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren. 

Visitation will be 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 3:00 PM Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Kenneth Redmon officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens