David Oliver Sweeney

Born in Michigan on March 1, 1944, he earned his angel wings on December 17, 2023 after a several year struggle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

His early life was filled with parents, siblings, and travels to mid Michigan to spend time with older family members and helping out with taking care of the farm.

The daily pressures of school life in upper Michigan and surrounding farm lands created in David a desire for what lies abroad pressuring him to want more out of life. He left the Detroit area for wider work opportunities and went to Chicago, becoming a Chef in a Chinese Restaurant.

The lure and enticement of the opportunities available to him through entering the Military, caused him to head to Texas and enter the United States Lockland Air Force Base. It was at this base in Texas that the new David Sweeney immerged. David’s early days were spent in Military training. At age 17, his assignment sent him to Germany. After a two-year assignment there, he returned to Suffrage Air Force Base. His assignments in 1965 and 1967 took him to South Vietnam.

Once back in the States, he was assigned to Albuquerque, New Mexico followed by Oklahoma City Air Station. His involvement at this Air Station afforded him the opportunity to expound on his running passion. He became heavily involved with the original Redford Road Runners which eventually became the Northville Road Runners.

In 1982, David retired from the USAF, he decided to pursue college studies at OCC and Eastern Michigan University. He graduated Cum Laude with a Master’s Degree in Arts in 1989. He worked with the University to become a Collegiate Counselor.

David’s personal and educational skills allowed him to become a Michigan Education Association Consultant. As an aside, he was also a Medical Social Worker at Westland Medical Center. The challenge and demand of being a Medical Support Personnel encouraged David to scale back and pursue other venues.

In 1996 after his wife’s retirement, he and Carol moved to Arizona for the winter. The Arizona scenery gave him more opportunities for outdoor biking, running and traveling. Summers were spent back in Michigan with friends and family.

In 2006, David changed direction with a straight drop to Lillian, Alabama and built his ranch home. He wanted the warmer climates to allow for more running and biking. He shared the Southern home and Michigan home until 2023. During this time up until 2015, he and Carol did many travels in the United States and abroad. His last big travel event was to Germany and France in 2015.

For the next several years, most of his time was spent in the Lillian, Alabama area. He would ride his trike bike with close friends. He would spend summers in Michigan. He had a passion for life.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gerald, and his brother Kenneth.

He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Carolyn Sweeney, his children Michael (Lynn) Sweeney, Terry Sweeney, and Dean Sweeney; siblings, Walt (Carol) Sweeney, and Janet (Mark) DeLucia. Grandchildren, Alexis Sweeney, Scott Sweeney, Danielle Pawlak, and Lauren Sweeney. Several nieces and nephews and extended family.

David was a member of several Catholic organizations and the Knights of Columbus.

Visitation for David will be held at St. Edith Catholic Church on Saturday, December 23, 2023 from 10:00 AM until time of mass at 11:00 AM with a luncheon to follow with Father James McNulty officiating.

To honor David’s memory, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.