The Honorable David McCann "Mac" Sweeney

1955 - 2024

The Honorable David McCann "Mac" Sweeney
08/15/1955 - 07/21/2024
David McCann "Mac" Sweeney (68) died suddenly on July 21, 2024, while visiting his son in Honolulu, HI. Born September 15, 1955, Mac was the third of four sons of Dan and Billye Sweeney of Wharton, TX. Foremost in Mac's life was his faith in Jesus Christ. His wife of 42 years and their four children benefited greatly from Mac's love, devotion, creativity, humor and faith.

Mac poured his whole heart and mind into every endeavor, be it intellectual, professional, interpersonal or athletic. Deepening and sharing his faith, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and serving his family were Mac's passions. Mac attended Wharton High School and earned BA and JD degrees at the University of Texas at Austin, where he met Cathy, before marrying in 1982.

In his early career Mac worked on a senatorial and a presidential campaign, and put his JD studies on hold to work in the Reagan White House as Deputy Director of Operations. At age 29, Mac was elected to the United States Congress, representing the 14th District of Texas for two terms including serving on the House Armed Services Committee. Mac dearly loved the people of the 14th District and considered it a true honor to have served them.

Post-Congress, Mac worked at Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle, LLP International Law Firm in New York, before taking on a succession of roles in restructurings and turnarounds of distressed companies. In 1997, Mac with his family moved to the Middle East for a seven-year commitment to humanitarian and missionary work based out of Cairo, Egypt. There he founded and led faith-based non-profit organizations focused on training and equipping local leaders to implement projects supporting clinics, education & literacy, refugee services and religious freedom throughout the region. Mac was forever grateful for the generosity and prayers of those who supported his and Cathy's work in the Middle East.

No matter the geography, professional or personal context, Mac's life was a relational and at its core an evangelistic pursuit to reach people and organizations and build them up – with a measured portion of encouragement but also never shying from confrontation, and in all times uncompromising in belief.

Mac will be remembered by his family as a tireless, selfless, insightful and loving husband, father and mentor. He is survived by Cathy and their four children: Walter (38) of Hawaii, Stuart (36) of New York, Peter (33) of Colorado, and Cynthia Jordan (31) of Brussels, Belgium; and his three brothers in Texas, Michael, Mark, and Myles.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 26, at 12:00 PM at Grace Community Fellowship, 1900 E. Boling Hwy, Wharton, TX, following a private burial.

Letters of condolence may be sent to: Sweeney Family, P.O. Box 19, New York, NY 10020. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to graceministriesinternational.org or to indigenousministries.org.