of Mountain Home, AR
October 26, 1941 - October 13, 2025
David T. Sward passed away at home on October 13, 2025 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 23rd from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm at Roller Funeral Home in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
David was born on October 26, 1941 in Stuttgart, Arkansas to the late Cliff and Alice Sward. As a young boy, he joined the Boy Scouts, eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Stuttgart High School in 1959 with a strong ambition to become a doctor.
He pursued a biology degree at Arkansas State University and was admitted after his junior year to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. At age 20, he wasn't quite ready for the rigor of medical school. He left med school and began training as a Medical Technologist at UAMS, where he met Carol Alvis, who was also a med-tech student. They were married on August 23, 1964. David returned to UAMS, where he obtained his medical degree in 1969.
That same year, David joined the Air Force Senior Program as a senior medical student. Following his internship at St. John's in Tulsa, he served 3 years as a Flight Surgeon. During this period, the family moved several times, with David eventually being stationed in Phoenix. He clocked 400 hours in the F-4 Phantom fighter jet, was privileged to tour with the Air Force Thunderbirds and reached the rank of Major.
The family returned to Little Rock in 1972 where David became an Orthopedic resident at UAMS for three years, then spent two years on staff. In 1978, the family moved to Mountain Home for David to establish the White River Orthopedic Clinic, the only orthopedic surgeon in a 50-mile radius. He helped establish the Medical Explorers and influenced several high schoolers to become physicians. He kept his practice until 2000, when he was lured away to be the Chief of Orthopedics, teaching residents at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Little Rock. David was extremely proud to serve his country for 20 years.
Being raised in the duck hunting capital of the world, David was devoted to the sport and related conservation. He helped establish the Mountain Home Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, relished his hunts with friends and family far and wide and collected an amazing assortment of rare duck calls. Hunting also compelled him to obtain the first of the family's several beloved Labrador Retrievers.
In 1981, David and Carol bought their farm, initially thinking he could simply ''run a few cows to keep the grass down'', but he was never one to do anything halfway. David went on to raise hundreds of Texas Longhorns (with a lot of help from Mike Bradshaw) and became a board member of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association.
David was a voracious reader of anything related to Arkansas or the Wild West. One of his favorite authors was Patrick McManus. Carol, Ted and Cliff loved watching him try to read McManus stories out loud, as he could never get through one without laughing so hard he cried. As a student of Arkansas history and geography, he delighted in knowing the location and a little history of just about every small town in the state.
He also loved country music, on family vacations when his boys were young, he would tell them that his tape player would not play rock and roll.
David was a lifelong student, always looking for a new adventure and trying new things. He attended Cow College, the Western College of Auctioneering and took a negotiating course in an attempt to improve his odds at negotiating with Carol.
As PapaDoc, David shared his love of cows and duck hunting with his grandchildren. Having only granddaughters at first, he loved to entertain them with stories, including Hindersnella (his take on Cinderella).
David is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Ted (Julie); grandchildren, Laney, Emma and Owen; son, Cliff (Susie); granddaughter, Sophie; sister-in-law, Donna Sward; niece, Dr. Brita (Carter) Rook; nephew, Erik (Dr. Lindsey); sister-in-law, Diane Corbett; nephew, Andy (Tammy); nieces, Jennifer (Bud) Lester and Beth (Lee) Frans; many grand nieces and nephews and two Labrador Retrievers, Kodi and Timba. He was preceded in death by his brother, Norman.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation or Food Bank of North Central Arkansas.
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29 Condolence(s)
Brenda Swindle
Friday, October 24, 2025
I first came to know David and Carol when I worked with my Aunt Bettie cleaning and helping in their home in the 80's. I always enjoyed helping in their home and they were wonderful! Then in the 90's I became a surgical tech and had the pleasure of working beside him for many years! He taught me so much and was a wonderful Dr., teacher and friend! I am so blessed to have had the time with him and pray for his family!
Prayers always!
Brenda Swindle
Mike Hagaman
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Dr Sward was both a friend and a mentor for me. He helped me establish my practice in Mountain Home and gave me great advice, whether I wanted it or not! I often did not like what he told me, but he was usually right. We had many opportunities to duck hunt together and share our love of the outdoors. He will be missed in so many ways by myself and family. A true honor to call him a colleague and friend.
Pat Black
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
I got to spend a lot of time with David in the ER over the years and learned a lot from him. He put his patients first. He was a man of integrity. He was fundamental in the early years helping the hospital grow. I am grateful to have worked with him, as is my wife Rhonda, who worked whim in surgery.
John Gocio
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
I first met David Sward in the mid 1970s at UAMS. I liked him because of his great sense of humor, his humility in spite of having exceptional surgical skill, and his dedication to his patients and to his profession. I also appreciated his wide range of knowledge and interests. I found him to be a great teacher, a caring friend, an exceptional surgeon, and a positive, and practical, mentor. Over the years I have had the honor and privilege to be his student, to duck hunt with him, to be his colleague on staff in Mountain Home, to be his surgical patient at UAMS, and then eventually to be his service chief in the later years of his VA practice prior to his retirement. He was a great man in so many different ways, a true gentleman always, and he so deeply loved his family. Carol and his family know all this and much more about how special David was, of course, and they have loved and cared for him for these last years. I am saddened by his passing but I feel joy when I remember those parts of his life I was so fortunate to have shared in.
Ellen Mackercher
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
David was a man of many interests, a real leader, and a teacher and a true friend, and a big heart! He not only welcomed new physicians to town, but help educate them in nuts and bolts of setting up a practice, a skill not taught in med school! He was foremost active in pressing congress of needs and importance of medical care in rural areas! As Chief of Staff he headed committees traveling to Washington to press for our hospital, and rural medical care.
Mike and Dianna Roller
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Our most sincere condolences to the entire Sward family during this time of loss.
Dr. Sward made and impact on so many lives. He will be missed.
With sympathy,
Mike and Dianna Roller
Gassville, AR
Carol Bishop
Monday, October 20, 2025
My sincerest condolences to the entire Sward family. I knew and worked with Dr. Sward when he was Chief, Orthopedics at the VA Medical Center. He was an awesome person and physician and I feel so honored that I was able to work with him for several years. I retired before he did, but I do know he was looking very forward to retiring and riding off in the sunset to his beloved farm and family. Remarkable man.
Walter S. Metzer, MD
Monday, October 20, 2025
I first met David in 1974, when I was a medical student. We eventually became colleagues, and friends. David was an honorable man, and it was my privilege to know him and Carol. I offer my deepest condolences to Carol and the entire family.
Steve Metzer
Jerry Stolz
Monday, October 20, 2025
I was sad to learn of David's death. We were classmates in medical school and shared many clinical rotations during that time. He had a great sense of humor and was kind to everyone He was an excellent physician and certainly provided valuable care to those in Mountain Home and the Little Rock VA.
Tammy Amyx-Mitchell
Monday, October 20, 2025
My deepest condolences for everyone. Dr. Sward represents a life well lived. I am proud to have known him.
Marge Anderson
Monday, October 20, 2025
Sandy Huckabee
Monday, October 20, 2025
In college, I broke my leg and ankles in a car wreck. Dr. Sward provided wonderful car for me - from being in a wheelchair, to a walker, to crutches, and then walking on my own. I will never forget and will always be grateful for Dr. Sward and his great care and compassion. Prayers and condolences to Ms. Carol, Ted, and Cliff in your loss.
Mary Hagaman
Monday, October 20, 2025
Carol, thanks for sharing the interesting and active life you and David shared. We were high school classmates and members of the band where he played that 'big tuba' --and we both attended ASU. He was always a good friend and the two of you--a great team!!
Love, prayers and blessings for you dear friend.
Dave and Cindy Allen
Monday, October 20, 2025
David Sward was a ''one of a kind'' guy.He was smart as a whip,could tell stories with the best of them(some were actually true),cared deeply about his family,and worked hard to make this world a better place.Of all people to have his life disrupted by Alzheimer's,we were all robbed of years of his personal approach to life,not to mention his presence in the orthopaedic community(and in a duck blind at daybreak)Somewhere in Heaven,God got a boost in his humor quotient!We were lucky to have had him as long as we did.
marilyn fisher
Monday, October 20, 2025
Bless you Carol!
Eric Herrman
Sunday, October 19, 2025
So many memories!! Loved working for David and Carol ! Always treated my family like their family . Prayers for all the family
Eric and Pamela Herrman
Andy and Tammie Corbett
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Not sure how I never knew or had forgotten Uncle David was an Eagle Scout, that means a lot.
He treated me like royalty when I broke my leg one summer, rushing me through the hospital and making sure I was well taken care of. I also remember him telling funny stories during family gatherings.
He will be missed.
Richard and Mary Baker
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Carol, we are so sorry to hear about David's passing. You and your family are in our prayers.
Cindy Collins
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Dr.Sword, was a great Doctor. I enjoyed working at BRMC as a nurse there. So sorry for the loss praying for you guys.
Janice
Sunday, October 19, 2025
I'm sorry to hear of your loss.. We lived in the house on the corner of Ivy Drive. Ted and Cliff would catch the bus there with a few of us. Think of them sometimes, wondering how they are. My GreatGrandmother Wison thought highly of Mr. Sward. Will be praying for your family.
With Love and Respect
Janice Stutzman
Jeannie Cox Lillo
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Family;
Thank you for sharing Doc with all of us. As a young nurse he taught me many lesson's. Always smiling and bragging on his family. RIP Doc Sward
Robert Kerr
Saturday, October 18, 2025
A really great person and physician. Very instrumental in helping bring physicians to Mountain Home and in supporting the medical staff and administration. He also did a great job at the V. A. Hospital in Little Rock.
Robert Kerr
Lynn Riley
Saturday, October 18, 2025
So sorry to hear of Dr. Swards passing. He was a pleasure to work with, a good friend, and had an amazing military career
Dana Wachowski McDonald
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Sending my condolences to the Sward family. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers
Darcy Turner
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Dear Carol, consider yourself tightly hugged. Peace will find you.
Joey VINSON
Saturday, October 18, 2025
David was a great guy I knew david ever since he came to mtn. Home. He was a great friend over the years . I did several jobs for him over those years.
Ruth and Charles Thomas
Saturday, October 18, 2025
A beloved boss for many years, may he rest in peace.
Paul & Vanessa Smith
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Sorry for your loss.
JO Anne Dunham Reynolds
Saturday, October 18, 2025
I remember when he came to Mountain Home, we were so very fortunate to have a doctor of his quality - rest in peace. May God bless and comfort the family.