Earl M. Swindle was born May 20, 1935,in Shelby County, Texas to WM and Bernice Chumbley Swindle.  He was the first of two born of this union, eldest sibling to Perry Swindle. Earl attended Jack Yates High school from 1949 to 1953. He matriculated to the Texas Southern University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Upon his graduation in 1957, Earl joined the Selective Service, serving as a Sharpshooter in the United States Army.  In 1960, a pivotal year in his life, he was honorably discharged, started a new business in which few people who looked like him existed, and got married to the love of his life.

His career as a successful businessman began with an entry-level executive position at Gulf Oil Company, a former American petroleum company acquired by Standard Oil of California (SOCAL) in 1984 and rebranded as Chevron. While advancing in the corporate hierarchy, he considered attending law school; however, his path took a different direction. Recognizing Earl’s exceptional operational and leadership abilities, Gulf Oil Company executives offered him the opportunity to become one of the first African American owners of a Gulf Oil retail service and fuel operation. After careful consideration, Earl accepted the offer and in 1960, he became one of eight hundred African American Gulf Dealers across America operating their businesses and serving their communities. Thus, Swindle’s Gulf Service Station was established at 5314 Scott Street, at the corner of North MacGregor.

That same year, he found the love of his life. She was Minerva Ellen Higgins of Brazoria, Texas. For them, it was love at first ride.  The story goes like this:  It was a hot and stormy day in Houston. Minerva, tired from a long day working as a nurse, was at a bus stop waiting for her ride home. Little did she know that Earl had been pining for her from afar for many years.  On this day, he decided to make his move by offering her a ride.  That rainy ride home led to an instant connection, a relationship built on love and respect, and a marriage that commenced on November 13, 1960. Mrs. Swindle worked side-by-side with her husband serving the greater Third Ward Community for 37 years.

Earl believed in giving back and in serving others, and this was reflected in the way that he conducted business.  He created his own youth training program in collaboration with high schools in Harris County, and sponsored youth development and sports programs. He also provided much needed support to local churches and countless Texas Southern University students with their auto needs. While he may have kept a ledger of donated car repairs, free tires, oil changes or gallons of fuel to keep them on the road, he certainly never called upon them to make good on it. Earl has encouraged and guided generations of African American youth who still benefit from his generosity and teachings today.

He also helped his family of nine siblings, as well as extended family from East Texas who had transitioned to Houston.  All these family members at one point in time worked at Swindle’s Gulf Service Station at some capacity. He taught each of them to live by his parents’ motto: Work hard for what you need. Work harder for what you want. As a result, he made it possible for families of successful business and entrepreneurs to expand across Houston. Thus, his legacy continued.

Under Earl’s quiet and steady leadership, Swindle’s Gulf Service Station, which eventually became Swindle’s Chevron, served as a beacon in Third Ward, a mainstay and gathering hub.  It was not unusual to see national or state elected officials, civil rights leaders, activists, and entertainers engaging with regular folk from the community right there at the station. Swindle’s Chevron was also a multiple award-winning operation, having received Gold Service Awards from the Gulf Oil Company.

This achievement is significant and history-making because, prior to SOCAL’s acquisition of the Gulf Oil Company, it had a history of awarding its employees and dealers Gold Service Awards. These awards were often diamond studded pins marking certain milestones and years of service. Earl received the Gold Service Award five times.  He also served as a two-time President of the Honor Council with the Gulf Oil Company and served on the boards of Unity Bank (formerly known as Riverside Bank) and the YMCA of Houston.

Earl and Minerva expanded their business portfolio to include real estate and other small business holdings in the Third Ward community. They served as a model of true partnership until 1997 when Minerva passed away due to cancer. Earl found it challenging to continue running the business without her but managed operations until 2001 before closing the business. Earl’s professional career then progressed with roles at Randall Reed Ford for two years and the Home Depot Corporation for 17 years, where he received numerous customer service awards.

Earl M. Swindle Sr. was a remarkable figure who valued education and self-determination. He served his community and family with excellence, dignity, honor, leadership, and compassion. A devoted family man, he never missed a family gathering and was always ready with a joke. His humor and charisma left people feeling better for having been in his presence. He is preceded in death by his Father and Mother, WM Swindell and Bernice Chumbley Swindle; Father and Mother-in-law Ellis and Minnie Higgins; his Wife, Minerva Ellen Higgins Swindle; Siblings Perry “Motorcycle Pete” Swindle (Bessie Swindle), David Earl Dixon and Kathy Lajune Swindell Bessard Bradford, Brothers-in-law Ellis Higgins Jr. and Harrison Arceneaux; Sisters-in-law Hazel Austin, Joyce Holley; and Nieces Marcia Lynette Dixon and Martha Bessard.

He is survived by his Siblings Charles B. Swindell (Mora Levi), Earnest Darnell Swindell (Janet Allen), Retha Renee Swindell, Pamela LaDell Swindell McClelland (Richard), Donna Marsette Swindell, Dedra Arnette Swindell Carpenter (Keith), Dadra Bardette Swindell Wade (Eddie); his Brother-in-law Dannye Holley, Sisters-in-law Ruthie Higgins and Kay Swindell; Sons Earl Myron Swindle Jr. (Rebecca Dirden) and Rodney Earl Swindle (Cathy Baxter); Grandsons Issaiah Earl Swindle, Zane Christian Mattingly and Jarrett Zion Mattingly.  His is also survived by his Nieces Jackie Swindle, Danielle Holley, Candance Swindell Melton (Andre), Kenan Holley (Erica), Gregory Higgins, Sonya Swindell, Quentin Holley (Terry), Angie Bessard, Regina Gardner, Kathy Lenore Brooks (Kent), Pamela Brown, Victoria Campbell, Caressa Y. Dixon, Laketha Shonte’ Dixon; Nephews, Augustus Williams Jr. (Karen), David Earl Dixon Jr., Rangi Bessard, Christopher Levi, Charles Swindell Jr., Earnest Swindell II (Roslyn), Emier Bradford (Kelli), Jasmine McClelland, Shawna Brown, Christopher Brown, Delvon Carpenter, Deon Brown, Donovan Carpenter, Devin Carpenter; his Lady Friend, Mrs. Dororthy Carraway, and a host of Grand Nieces, Grand Nephews, Cousins and Friends.