Charles R. "Chuck" Swindoll (born 18 October 1934) is an evangelical Christian pastor, educator and radio preacher. He was born in Campo, Texas]], the third of three children born to Earl and Lovell Swindoll. He graduated from Charles H. Milby High School in Houston, TX. Before a life in Christian ministry, Chuck initially pursued his interest in mechanical engineering, and also served with the United States Marine Corps in Southeast Asia. He married his wife, Cynthia, in 1955 and they have four children. Swindoll entered Dallas Theological Seminary in 1959 where he graduated magna cum laude four years later.