Dr. Timothy Blair Swango, DVM
(08/22/46 – 01/24/25)
Dr. Timothy Blair Swango left us peacefully to be with the Lord on January 24, 2025.
Tim or “Doc” as many knew him, was born in Dayton, Ohio on August 22, 1946. He attended both Centerville High School in Ohio and Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, where he graduated at the top of his class. From there he attended Mercer University in Macon, GA where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and where he met his wife Glynn. Together they moved to Columbus, Ohio for Tim to attend The Ohio State University’s Veterinarian program, while also welcoming two sons. Upon graduating from vet school in 1974 (again at the top of his class), they decided to move their family to Winter Haven, FL. At Myers Animal Hospital he began what would become a long and successful career as a veterinarian. While sharpening his skills treating clinical patients, he also treated zoo animals at Cypress Gardens. He later opened his own practice, Swango Animal Hospital in Lake Wales, FL, where he cared for countless animals (and their owners) for over 35 years.
He pursued many hobbies during his life and with each one he would go all-in, but his true passion was fishing. Most know him by Doc Swango, Doctor Bass…or Doctor No Bass… depending on who you talked to; but everyone would say “we love your dad”, “he’s the best”, “what an amazing vet”. He had an incredible way with animals, and their humans. He loved telling fishing stories. He also had an incredible sense of humor and loved playing jokes on people including the rubber snake he would keep in the rear hatch of every boat he owned. We will all miss him, his stories, and his sense of humor dearly.
Dr. Swango is survived by many loved ones including his wife, Glynn Goulding Swango, son, Timothy Brett Swango and wife, Stacy, son, Shawn Michael Swango and wife, Cori, grandchildren, Timothy Baron Swango, Alee Blair Swango and Camryn Melissa Swango, brothers, Terry Swango and wife, Marsha, Stanley Swango and wife, Sally, nieces, Kim Swango and Kiersten Swango; as well as Connie Thurman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley Sterling Swango and Monda Hott Swango.
Remembrance services will be held February 8, 2025, at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven (637 6th St NW, Winter Haven) with a reception to immediately follow at the Valhalla Clubhouse (130 Woden Way, Winter Haven).
On February 22, 2025, there will be a celebration of life at Doc’s favorite place on earth Camp Lester (14400 Reese Dr, Lake Wales), including an armada of boats traveling to Lake Kissimmee to start the party at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Moffitt Cancer Center or the Humane Society of Winter Haven in honor of Dr. Swango’s name.
