Derek Lane Swingle was born on July 12, 1975 in Wellington to Ron and Carolyn (Krone) Swingle. The family made their home in Argonia.

Derek was baptized at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Danville, where he made his first communion and was an altar server. He attended Argonia schools from kindergarten through graduating high school with the class of 1993. During that time, he played the trumpet in band, played summer baseball, was in the Scouts, played basketball, and took guitar lessons. His family’s dairy and farming operations were a large part of his activities.

After high school, Derek went to Northwest Kansas Tech in Goodland, and earned his associate's degree in telecommunications. He returned to dairying and farming in Argonia until 2004, when he took employment with Schwan’s in Wichita, returning in 2005 to work for one year at the Bluff City Co-op. From 2006 to 2008, Derek worked a line position at Cessna in Wichita. More determined than ever to establish a career, Derek received his HVAC training at WTI in Wichita. He eventually became a journeyman after being employed with Goddard School District as an HVAC tech in 2011. In 2024, he assumed the position of assistant director of maintenance.

Derek thoroughly enjoyed working for the school district. He felt he was making a contribution to the school and society by doing his part to keep the facilities and HVAC systems up and running. He especially enjoyed being part of a team and valued all the friendships he made while employed with the schools. One of Derek’s favorite things to do was handing out trick-or-treat candy to the kids and helping anyone who needed it just to make life more enjoyable for everyone.

While working toward his career goals, Derek met and married Debbie Breer from Salina, on May 12, 2007, and they made their home in Wichita. He affectionately called her “My Debbie” and loved her deeply. The couple enjoyed traveling to the mountains in Colorado to hike, traveling to the Eureka Springs, Ark. area, and taking in a couple of cruises to the Caribbean.

Derek passed away at his home on June 21, 2026. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Lawrence and Hazel Swingle; maternal grandparents, Kenneth and Irma Krone; and stepfather, James Moore. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Swingle of the home; father, Ron Swingle and wife, Jana of Argonia; mother, Carolyn Moore of Danville; brother, Brent Swingle and wife, Abby, of Wellington; nephews and niece, Logan, Luke, Liam, Lane, and Lauren Swingle; aunts and uncles, Connie Amann of Argonia, Cheryl and Dan Phillippi of Wichita, and Dixie and Jerry Pomeroy of Hesston; cousins; other relatives and friends.

Celebration of life started at 1 p.m. Friday, June 26, at Prairie Rose Funeral Home. Burial was at the Argonia Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made payable to Derek Swingle Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of the funeral home. The family plans to use these funds to benefit the students of Goddard Public Schools, USD 265. Mail Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W. 14th St. Harper, Kansas 67058; www.prairierosefuneralhomes.com.