Kenneth Waymon Swearengin, 88, passed away peacefully on Dec. 12, 2024, in Burns, surrounded by loved ones.

Kenneth was born in Hubbard, Ore.,  onMarch 13, 1936, to Margaret and John Swearengin. After his mother passed away his grandparents, Cecil and Ruth Plake (Granny and Gramps) raised him and his siblings. He graduated from Newberg high school and then joined the Air Force in 1954, stationed in Japan as a radio operator.

He met the love of his life, Elsie Lou Blackwell in 1963, and as a joke, married Aug. 2, 1963. They then moved with their four kids to the ZX ranch in Paisley and then spent the rest of their lives raising six kids, moving ranch to ranch in Lake and Harney County.

In 1972, he owned K&E Leather Shop, making custom saddles ect., in downtown Burns. During that same period of time, he also drove a school bus for the Burns school district before returning back to work as a cowboy on ranches.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his wife, Elsie; and oldest daughter, Cheryl.

He is survived by his children, Donna and (Pat) Staed, Robert Swearengin, Debbi and (Big David) Lee, Terri and (Peter) Bronson, David and (Cassie) Swearengin; grandchildren, Maggi Walker, James Hill, Jeffery Hill, Shannon Grei, Stacey Anserson, K.C. Swearengin, Kevin Swearengin, Chris Lee, Becky Smith, Jesica Berry, Chelsi Delic, Nathan Swearengin, Shelby Swearengin; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at La Follette’s Chapel on Dec. 19, 2024, at 11 a.m., with a graveside service to follow.