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Official Obituary of
The Reverend Craig Chandler Sweeney
April 7, 1951 - January 12, 2025eney
April 7, 1951 - January 12, 2025
The Reverend Craig Chandler Sweeney, 73, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2025, at his home in Topeka, Kansas. Craig was born April 7, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland to John Easter Sweeney and Virginia Lee [Jackson] Sweeney, who both preceded him in death. Craig met his wife Robin Jo Roy in 1970 and they married in Topeka on August 25, 1973.
Craig is survived by Robin and their three daughters, Gretchen Sweeney of Washington, D.C., Virginia Barnes (Bryan) of Topeka, and Alice Sweeney of Topeka; as well as by his four grandchildren: Miles and Natalie Barnes, and Cooper and Phineas Szabo. Craig also is survived by his four siblings: John Sweeney (Barbara) of Everett, WA; Michele Sweeney of Pueblo, CO; Michael Sweeney (Rhonda) of Lawrence, KS; and Mary Howell (Mike) of Topeka; as well as 14 nieces and nephews and their families, and many in-laws.
Craig grew up in Topeka, attending Gage Elementary, Landon Junior High, and Topeka High School, where he graduated in 1969. Craig briefly attended Prescott College in Arizona and then received his B.A. from the University of Denver in 1973 where he earned Phi Beta Kappa. During college, he was an exchange student for one year at the University of Kent in Canterbury, UK. Craig went on to earn an MBA/JD from University of Denver in 1978.
After graduation he worked in Washington state, and then moved his growing family to Illinois, Texas, and eventually back to Kansas. In Topeka he became general counsel for ShowBiz Pizza Place, part of Brock Hotel Corporation. He later owned Kaw Valley Title Company in Topeka.
In his 40s, he turned to his church, deepened his Christian faith, and was called to ministry. He completed a process of discernment, then enrolled at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, where he received his M.Div. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2001.
Craig served as rector at both Grace Episcopal Church in Winfield, KS, and Trinity Episcopal Church in Arkansas City, KS, from 2001 to 2006. He then served as rector at The Church of the Epiphany in Glenburn, PA, from 2006 to 2012. He retired in 2012 and returned to Topeka in 2017.
Craig enjoyed ministry and mentoring, gardening and gardens, cooking, writing, reading historical and science fiction, especially space opera, smoking cigars, and supporting progressive causes.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10:00am CST at St. David’s Episcopal Church at 3916 SW 17th Street, Topeka, KS 66604. The service will be live streamed at www.youtube.com/@stdavidstopeka. Memorial contributions may be made to Episcopal Relief & Development (www.episcopalrelief.org), World Central Kitchen (https://wck.org/), or Doctors without Borders (https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/). https://www.midwest-cremation.com/obituaries/The-Reverend-Craig-Chandler-Sweeney?obId=34532681&fbclid=IwY2xjawH2W-JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcuYhpyWuZmcHClY9w
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Richard Fleming
Craig had a large heart and a generous spirit. He was a good friend to all who knew him. He will be missed.
David S. Blakely
68 years of memories with Craig is not enough. What a good man. The world was a better place with him in it.
Jeff Templin
Craig and I were neighborhood friends growing up. He lived less than a block away from me on Gage Blvd. We played together all through grade school and much of jr. high. I remember one or two overnight stays at his house and at least once he stayed overnight at mine. I remember once taking turns sitting in a large cardboard box & getting pushed down the stairs, which, as I recall, was curved. (Or did I dream that?)
When we weren't hiding in neighbor's bushes (playing "war") we were playing touch football in the park. or riding our bikes.
When we got to Topeka High we ran with different crowds. So we drifted apart but he was a good friend to have growing up. Good times were had by all!
I'd say R.I.P. but knowing Craig, he won't be "resting" for long. I mean, how boring would that be for eternity? Now, for Craig there are exciting new experiences to have, places to go, people to be (lol- yes, I meant be) and things to see.
Thomas C. Paulson (Married To Classmate Connie Bohannon)
Craig was a great friend from kindergarden on. We had many adventures together with several of his friends. He was quick to help anyone and always a gentlemean. I was very sorry to hear of his death. Condolences to his family.
Diane K. Ticehurst (Burton)
Is it possible for little boys to be kind gentlemen when they are only 5 years old? I thought Craig was and that is how I always saw him. Thanks, Craig, for your contributions of love and kindness while here, on earth with the rest of us. You enriched our lives.
Chris G Alumbaugh
I too was a neighborhood friend of Craig and met him when I moved to the Gage School area at the end our our 3rd grade year. Then, just 14 of us left many of the friends we had made at Gage to open Landon Jr High. We were thrown in with a school-full of kids, mainly from McCarter and other grade schools on the west side of Topeka. After being in the first class to attend Landon all 3 years (7-9th grades), we 14 were again pulled out and sent to THS. Of course I'd bet that every one of us would readily attest to the fact that it was the best thing that could have happened to us, however it was difficult to leave so many of our new friends made at Landon. Just a bit of insight into what Craig, Jeff Templin, and the rest of us went through at an already challenging age, ha.
As for dear Craig...I hardly know what to say, unless it would be to repeat the lovely things that have already been said about him. He was one of the sweetest, funniest, most intelligent and kind guy I've ever known...it was a joy to see and talk to him whenever he visited over these past 55+ years. And as it is with every one of our departed Class of '69 classmates, he will be truly missed, but fondly and forever remembered by so very many of us.
Peace to you Craig ol' friend, and to his family: May they know how he is remembered and what a joy he was to his friends. I hope Robin has access to our website so she can see for herself...
Patti K. Beach (Hills --Married To Classmate Don Hills)
I was also one of Craigs Gage school classmates. I remember him as one of the "tall" boys, but then I guess in reality everyone was tall compared to me. He was also very nice to me and everyone. Unfortunately, there were at least 4 of us ( Tom Paulsen, Ikey Kinney, Janice Lambert and me) that did not get to go to Landon or Roosevelt for Jr. High as we lived on the south side of 10th and had to attend Boswell Jr high. We lost connection with our Gage school friends for those 3 years. At THS Craig and I were both in Mrs. McDonnel's home room our 9th grade year, although in the yearbook picture of our homeroom they listed him as Greg instead of Craig. Craig was a nice young man and it appears he had a great life. Rest in peace and my heartfelt condolences to the family.......... Patti Beach Hills
Dale E. Warren
As one of those who had the pleasure of going all the way thru school with Craig I agree with all the others from that special Gage school group They have summed it up well.Take care my friends and Craig will miss you RIP