Leo K. “Kent” Swords, 73, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, December 04, 2018, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Leo was born on April 01, 1945, in Eureka, Kansas, the son of Leo H. “Henry” and Ellen Jean (Hart) Swords. He grew up in Eureka, Kansas, Great Bend, Kansas, Nebraska and Garden City, Kansas. He graduated from Garden City High School in the class of 1966.

After high school he joined the Air Force and for 20 years he served his country. While in the Air Force he was a jet engine mechanic. He traveled to Thailand, Germany and Arizona and retired from the Air Force as an E6 Tech Sergeant.

He was united in marriage to Kathleen Marie Bratton on November 06, 1982, at Williams A.F.B. in Chandler, Arizona. From this union, Leo and Kathleen were blessed with 4 children, Sean, Shane, Anita and Steven.

Leo worked for 20 years with ABCO Wire and Metal as a Line Worker. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas. He was also a member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 and the Russell American Legion Post # 99. He enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting and tinkering. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving family include his son Sean Swords (Susan) of Topeka, Kansas; son Shane Swords of Hays, Kansas; daughter Anita Swords (Timothy Ehrlich) of Bunker Hill, Kansas and son Steven Swords (Chelsey) of Russell, Kansas; sister Charlotte Roth of Pawnee Rock, Kansas; 6 grandchildren Madelyn, Seth, Camden, Logan, Colby & Charles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Kathleen on September 09, 2014, and a brother David J. Swords.

A celebration of Leo’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, December 10, 2018, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with Pastor Ezekiel Koech officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Military honors will be performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. Visitation will be from 1 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Sunday, December 09, 2018, at the mortuary.

Memorials can be given to Trinity United Methodist Church and sent in care of the mortuary 610 N. Maple St., Russell, Kansas 67665. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.