Charles L. "Chuck" Swope

Charles L. “Chuck” Swope of Cuba, Missouri was born on Tuesday, November 17, 1931, at Rich Hill, Missouri the son of Jacob H. and Zella (Quaiatto) Swope. He left from this life on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at Cuba Manor at the age of 89 years.

Chuck’s father died when he was 5 years old, and his mother died when he was 10 years old. He then made his home with his mother’s brother and his wife, Mike, and Minnie Quaiatto. He graduated from Rich Hill High School and in the fall of 1949, Chuck enrolled at the University of Missouri Columbia. Working his way through college took him 7 years, graduating in 1956 with a B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry. In 1947 at the age of fifteen, Chuck went to work for National Cowboy Hall of Fame Rodeo Producer & Stock Contractor Clyde S. Miller. He continued to work for Clyde Miller until, Miller sold out his rodeo business at the close of the 1951 rodeo season. This was the start of a lifelong interest in the sport of rodeo. Chuck knew many of the great and near great rodeo hands of the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. In the spring of 1952 Chuck went to work for the Z Bar Cattle Co. He continued working there until he graduated from college. While attending college Chuck started dating his partner for life, Melba Smith from Carrollton, Missouri. They were married 66 years.

In 1957 Chuck went to work for the University of Missouri Extension Service as an Assistant County Agent in Dekalb County at Maysville, Missouri. After about one and ½ years he transferred to Hold County at Oregon, Missouri as a Balanced Farming Agent. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to County Extension Director for Holt County.

In May of 1965 Chuck took over management of the ranches owned by movie and theater executive, the late E.C. Rhoden which included three ranches in Missouri and one in California. Chuck and Melba and their two small sons moved to the R.S.R. Ranch near Tarkio, Missouri. They continued to live there until the end of 1981 after the passing of Mr. Rhoden.

Tarkio was the home of the Missouri High School Rodeo. Chuck served on the Board of Director of the Missouri High School Rodeo Association for 12 years. He held every office of the association including 2 years as president. He also served two years on the Board of Directors of the National High School Rodeo Association.

Chuck was a founding member of the Missouri Cattleman’s Association for the first 6 years it was in existence. He also served on the executive committee which oversaw the day-to-day operation of the association until a full-time executive secretary was hired.

Chuck was president of the Atchison County Missouri Farm Bureau for several years. He also served several years on the Board of Directors of the Crawford County Cattleman’s Association. In 1953 Chuck went to work for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, he continued that job until he retired in 1996.
In 2000 he and Melba moved to Cuba, Missouri and shortly thereafter he went to work for Jim’s Motors Trailers which he continued until his death. He traveled over a million miles and delivered trailers all over the USA from sea to sea and border to border!

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Zella Swope: his in-laws Carmel and Bessie Smith, and a son, Robert “Bobby” Swope.

Those who are left to treasure his memory and to continue his legacy are his loving wife of sixty-six years Melba J. (Smith) Swope of Cuba; one son Dr. K.C. and wife Dr. Melanie Swope of Bourbon; one foster son Scott and wife Rosa Swope of Monett; two grandchildren Jared and wife Emily Swope of University City, Erin and husband Jake Harlan of St. James; one great-grandson Quentin and soon to be great-granddaughter Maggie Lou; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.


Visitation will be held on Friday, August 6, 2021 from 5-8 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home 904 W. Washington St. Cuba, Missouri.

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021 11:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church 415 W. School St. Cuba, Missouri with Father Dan Lueckenotte as the celebrant.

Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.

Honored to be serving as pallbearers are Scott Cape, Danny Dace, Ron Tomson, Joe Medwick, Ed Kruse and Brad Brewer.

Honorary pallbearers are Jim Cape, Jerry Cape, Delbert Mullen, Fred Kruse, Richard Tomson, Don Stewart, Brock Snyder and Randy Baker.

If desired, memorials would be appreciated to Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund or the American Cancer Society.

The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba is honored to be serving the Swope family.