Darryl W. Sweeney

Darryl Wayne Sweeney, 54, of Overland Park, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2020. He was surrounded by his loving brother, Richard, and Richard's husband, David. Darryl was born on March 24, 1966 to Vincent and Lois (Diment) Sweeney, in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Darryl spent most of his youth growing up in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He enjoyed the friendship of many and was a great friend. Darryl graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1985. After graduation, Darryl moved to Olathe to be closer to his brother and start his adult life. Darryl worked at Pizza Shoppe in Olathe where he moved up to become a Manager. While working at Pizza Shoppe, Darryl went to Johnson County Community College part-time to further his learning. Darryl wanted to enlist in the US Army. Darryl tried multiple times and he could never pass the medical exam, as he was always underweight. Darryl even told the story that on the last attempt to pass the medical exam, he would eat a lot and not use the restroom for several days before the medical exam. He even said the morning of the medical exam, his recruiter took him to a restaurant where he filled up on pancakes hoping to add a few pounds. Unfortunately, he still did not weigh enough and his plans to enlist in the US Army were scuttled.

Darryl moved to Alaska and started working for an organization that provided support to individuals and families who were experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and mental health challenges. Darryl also worked in an Assisted Living Facility providing help and assistance to the residents. He enjoyed helping others and took great pride in the help and support he could provide. While living in Alaska, he got to experience living a rugged life style living in a remote cabin, which he enjoyed. He had many stories to tell such as having to share his outside outhouse in the wintertime with the bears when it was below zero.

While a young kid, Darryl frequently talked about semi-trucks and even loved the song, "Convoy". After working in Alaska, Darryl decided to fulfill his childhood dream of being a truck driver. Darryl attended a commercial truck driver training school. After successfully completing the program, Darryl obtained his commercial driver's license and started his truck-driving career based on the east coast. During his career as a truck driver, he earned many accolades including being honored with an award by his last employer in 2017 for driving over 1,000,000 (One Million) miles with no accidents or incidents.

Darryl continued his truck-driving career until September 2017 when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. After his brain surgery and rehabilitation in Philadelphia, Darryl moved to the Kansas City area to undergo his chemo/radiation treatment at the University of Kansas Cancer Center in Overland Park and to be close to his mother, brother and brother-in-law where he remained until his passing.

Darryl was an avid Chicago Cubs and Oakland (now Vegas) Raiders fan. While Darryl was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, he never attended a live game in Chicago. So in September 2019, Darryl's brother and brother-in-law took him to Chicago to see his first live game in Chicago. That was a weekend Darryl thoroughly enjoyed and cherished.

Darryl will always be remembered for being a gentle kind soul. He would approach total strangers and strike up a conversation with no problem at all. If he saw someone needing help, he would be right there to provide assistance. Darryl was about giving and helping others.

Darryl is survived by his brother Richard (David Myers) of Overland Park, Kansas; Aunt Donna Fitkin (Virgil) of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Uncle Ben Diment (Mary) of Sigourney, Iowa, and Uncle Richard Sweeney (Joanne) of Freehold, New Jersey and many cousins.

Darryl was proceeded in death by his parents, Vincent and Lois Sweeney, infant brother Steven and both sets of grandparents.

Darryl was taken too soon in life and will be greatly missed by his brother and brother-in-law. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Darryl's church, Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Leawood, Kansas, in Darryl's memory.


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