Alfred Austell Swann III, 92, of Tampa, FL passed away on February 13, 2015.
He was born in Dandridge, TN in August 1922 where he spent his early years. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII and later attended the University of Tennessee where he met his wife, Betty Young. They married in Memphis, TN in 1946. For their fiftieth wedding anniversary, they traveled to Europe and visited the locations where he served during WWII.
Mr. Swann moved his family to Tampa in 1956 and he went to work for Swann Products Cigar Company. He was the last surviving grandson of Col. A.R. Swann, who developed Tampa’s Hyde Park neighborhood. He finished his degree in accounting at the University of Tampa and became a CPA. He worked for Guida & Little CPAs and Fails and Associates of Tampa before starting his own CPA practice. He was active as a CPA until his retirement in 2006.
He enjoyed visiting with family and friends and made a special effort to keep in contact with his extended family in Tennessee. He was an avid Square Dancer. He was a member of the Sertoma Club, a longtime member of Tampa Toastmasters, and other professional organizations. He was a fan of Horse Racing and one of his favorite hobbies was traveling to Elderhostels across the country and Canada.
Mr. Swann is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty, his son, Alfred A. (Lisa) Swann IV; his daughter, Cynthia Swann (Tom) Haase; sister, Sara Swann (Forrest) Teets; granddaughter, Vanessa (Aaron) Plumb; and great-granddaughter, Hannah.
There will be a gathering at the family home on March 1st from 2:00-4:00 PM to honor the memory of Alfred Swann. Internment will be at a later date in Dandridge, TN.
We are most grateful to everyone at Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home for the exceptional care that Al received.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Al’s family. It was an honor to have helped care for him. I know he will be missed. I could see how much he was loved.
I know Al will be missed by many. Our condolences to Betty and everyone in the family.
We will be there with you all soon. I’m sorry about the circumstances but will be glad to see all. Your family has always been special to me as was Uncle Alfred.
Dear Cynthia,
my condolences to you and your family. I know you will miss him dearly. Much love to you and yours.
Alfred Swann was a dear man & I was privileged to work for him. He mentored me and supported me as a young working mother way before it was “fashionable” to do so. I have always had the upmost respect for him and his family.
He and his family became extended family to us,
then & forever. Condolences & Love, always,
Donna Nipper & Family
Dear Betty, Duke ,Lisa, and Cynthia,
I had several opportunities to see Al when visiting Duke and Lisa in Tampa. Always impressed with his warm welcome and “Make yourself at home.” greeting. Betty your daily trips to be with Al were an inspiration to me. Prayers and thoughts are with you. Love, AJ
Duke, sorry to learn of your Dad’s passing. I know you were a great son and will miss him. I know you’ll be a good support for your Mother Betty.
John
Duke called and related the news of Al’s death. We understand Al apparently had been ill for some time. We are sorry to hear of his death. As Duke may have told you, Judy and I will
be going down to Florida in April and will try to make a connection with you and Duke. Again, our sympathy to you and the family.
I was sorry to read recently about the passing of Alfred Swann. My thoughts and prayers are with you: his family and relatives. I would like to briefly share some recollections with you about my association with the Swann family. Tommy (Thomas Burnett Swann, Jr.) was one of my closest friends from kindergarten at Inwood Elementary through High School (all in Winter Haven). In 1943 (I think it was), Tommy and I spent the summer with Tommy’s Uncle Alfred in Dandridge Tennessee, working in the road-side market that sold produce from the Swann farm. (We also hoed weeds in the field, getting paid $1 a day as I recall!) My thinking is that Uncle Alfred would have been the brother of Tommy’s father, Tom Swann,Sr., who was a prominent citrus grower in the Winter Haven area (as well as – if I recall accurately – an Army pilot in Europe in WW1!). Tommy and I spent many of our earlier summers at Indian Rocks beach (known to us “insiders” as “Haven Beach” because there were several Havenites close together there – maybe including another of Tommy’s uncles: Jim Swann?) I stayed at the cottage of my grandparents – the L. L. Spaffords – who lived in Tampa, and Tommy was in a cottage two houses down. I am hopeful that one of you can/will clarify for me what the lineage is between Col. A. R. Swann and my friend Tommy. I was born in 1929 in a house on S. Edison, just a few blocks from Bayshore Blvd., and was already familiar with Col Swann’s role in developing Hyde Park (and having Swann Avenue named after him!). Again: my condolences to you all. My warmest and best wishes to you. Roger (Bill) Clapp
Dear Betty, Duke, Lisa, Cynthia and Tom,
We know that no matter how difficult these last few years have been, it is never easy to finally reach the end. John and I are truely sorry for your loss. John always enjoyed ” talking airplane stuff” with Al. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Love you,
John and Ginna
Betty and family:
We like to extend our deepest smypathy for the passing of Alfred. We both knew when Frank Jr. and I had coffee at el Pilon of his health condition 92 years is a wonderful life. Rest in peace and Best always
Luisa and Frank Cisneros