Dr. Earl W. Swank

Dr. Earl W. Swank, 75, of Valdosta passed away Sunday, January 1, 2017 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Swank was born in Perry, Missouri on February 8, 1941 to the late Earl and Elois Swank. Dr. Swank was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lake Park and the Adult 4 Sunday School Class. He was a member of the Alpha Sigma Epsilon Fraternity. Dr. Swank earned his B.S. in Education in 1963 from North East Missouri State Teacher's College, his M. A. in 1967 from North East Missouri State University and his Ed. D in 1973 from the University of Georgia. From September of 1963 until 1969 Dr. Swank worked at Hedreck Community Schools in Iowa. He then relocated to Georgia and began working with Coastal Plains RESA in August of 1973 and served there until September of 1982 when he began working as a Professor in the Secondary Education Department at Valdosta State University where he served for over 36 years. Dr. Swank served as the Head of Secondary Education and was promoted to Associate Dean of the School of Education prior to ending his tenure at Valdosta State University. Dr Swank served for many years on the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics and was involved in Grant writing, developing curriculums to assist math educators in teaching the subject of mathematics. In 1997 Dr. Swank was awarded the Gladys M. Thomason award for Excellence in Math Education. Dr. Swank was a caring, professional instructor and was known for assisting the students in all fields with learning and being a listening ear. He was loved by and devoted to his students. Earl had many hobbies such as basketball, tennis, snowskiing, white water rafting, mountain biking and hiking as well as hunting with his Weimeraner dogs. Earl was a loving and devoted father to his family.
Survivors include: his wife, Sandra Swank of Lake Park, Georgia; his sister, Kay Howes of Monroe City, Missouri: four sons and daughters in law, Mark Swank of Valdosta, Georgia, Michael and Mary Ellen Swank of Germany, John and Kelly Yawn of Lake Park, Georgia, Jason and Lacey Yawn of Hazlehurst, Georgia; one daughter and son in law, Cindy and Sidney Johnson of Hazlehurst, Georgia;
11 Grandchildren:
Zachary Swank, McCrae Swank, Hayden Sinquefield, Isabella Sinquefield, Alexxis Yawn, Wesley Yawn, John B. Yawn, McKenzie Yawn, Madison Stone, Zachary Stone, and Aubree Yawn
Nieces, nephews and close friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm, Thursday, January 5, 2017 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home in Valdosta with Rev. Robert Dawson officiating. Burial will follow in the McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6-8pm at the Carson McLane Funeral Home, 2215 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, GA 31602. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.




Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602