John Duane Schwartz

After a lengthy illness, John Duane Schwartz passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends on Thursday, November 4, 2010. John was born on September 21, 1934 on his grandfather’s farm near Palmer (Ellis County) Texas. He was the son of Johnnie Quitman Schwartz and Emily Juanita (Ingle) Schwartz. He was a descendent of two pioneer Texas families: the grandson of John Schwartz and Dovie Ann (Harkey) Schwartz who settled in Palmer in 1881 and the great-grandson of Peter Martin Ingle who settled in Grandview (Johnson County) Texas in 1878. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bobby Ingle Schwartz. John is survived by his sister, Wanda Schwartz Cain and husband Benton of Waxahachie; sister-in-law, Ann Schwartz of Tyler; nephew Mike Schwartz and wife Ginny of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; niece Patti Schwartz Baker and husband Ken of Dallas; niece Candace Ahlfinger and husband Randy of Waxahachie. In addition, he is survived by his great-nieces and nephews Allison Schwartz Bradley and husband Rod; Emily Schwartz Daniels and husband Coby; Kyle Baker and wife Missy; Cody Baker and wife Emily; Kate Baker Lane and husband, Ryan; Moriah Ahlfinger Bassham and husband Wil; and Robert Ahlfinger; eight great- great-nieces and nephews, and long-time friends Penny Hawkins, and Robert, Lesa, and Anna Russo. John attended elementary school in Palmer, high school in Ennis and graduated from SMU with a BBA in Marketing. He served many years as the church organist in First Baptist Church in Palmer where he also held many other positions. After graduation from SMU, he joined Titche-Goettinger Department Store as an executive trainee. After completing the training program, he became buyer of Toys and Luggage and his was the first store in Dallas to introduce the Barbie Doll. Later he became buyer of China, Glass, and Silver. In this position he traveled extensively to England, Germany, Italy, Austria, Denmark and Sweden. The last 15 years with Titche’s, he was Vice-President and General Manager of North Park, Prestonwood, and Town East stores in Dallas and company stores in Phoenix, AZ. After retiring from Titche’s (Joske’s) in 1987, he joined Syms in Dallas as General Manager of the Dallas store and later the Hurst store. He retired from Syms in 2004. He later returned to Syms as a part-time employee and worked there until 2009. He considered working a hobby. He was a member of Wilshire Baptist church and was active in the Titche’s/ Joske’s Retirement Club. He enjoyed “dining out” and was known in many Dallas restaurants as “Uncle John.” Family and friends were the most important thing in his life. He was very involved in his family genealogy and organized Ingle reunions. Visitation will be held at Sparkman/ Hillcrest Funeral Home from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 6, 2010. Interment will be on Sunday, November 7 at 1:00 p.m. at the Palmer Cemetery followed by a memorial service at Wilshire Baptist Church, 4316 Abrams Road, Dallas. Memorials may be made to the Pastoral Residency of Wilshire Baptist, music fund of First Baptist Waxahachie or the charity of your choice. Arrangements under the direction of Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.