Kevin R. Sweeney, 68, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away Thursday, February 19, 2026 surrounded by his family. Kevin was a loving and devoted father, husband, grandfather, brother, and an accomplished lawyer. He was born in Carrollton, Missouri to Mary Ann and Raymond Sweeney.
Kevin’s life was full of music from a young age. He played six string and bass guitar, performed in jazz bands, and sang in choirs. He left Carrollton a decorated student and attended the University of Notre Dame where he received a B.B.A. in Management and graduated with honors. During his four years in South Bend, Kevin was honored to be part of the venerable university glee club. It was a distinction he continued to be proud of throughout his life.
After Notre Dame, Kevin returned to Missouri where he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri School of Law. While there, he was the associate-editor-in-chief of the Missouri Law Review. After passing the bar, Kevin moved to Kansas City and began his illustrious 40-year-long legal career. He worked for some of the country’s most prestigious law firms - Shook, Hardy and Bacon; Sonnenschien, Nath, and Rosenthal; and Polsinelli PC. Kevin’s list of accomplishments is long and laudable but the one that prided him the most was his 30-year-long relationship with the Big 12 Conference.
However, Kevin was much more than his work. He was a father to Caroline and Katherine, a husband to Erika, a loving grandfather to Blakely and Pierson, a son, a long-standing member of the Visitation Church choir, a travel enthusiast planning trips for himself and others, and the self-appointed family historian. He spent his time away from his desk with his feet in the sand in Mexico and traveling around Europe, but most often and happily playing with his grandkids. He would rouse the household on Sunday mornings with informal practices before Mass and had music constantly playing through the speakers to which he could always be heard singing along.
Kevin will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his father, Raymond; wife and partner of more than 20 years, Erika (Rich) Sweeney; his daughters, Caroline Sweeney (Brian Abel) and Katherine Gard (Nick); grandchildren, Blakely and Pierson; sister, Amy Rosenfeld (Les) and many more extended family.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ann; his grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.
Mass of Christian Burial for Kevin will begin at 10:30am on Saturday, February 28th at Visitation Parish Church, 5141 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64112 with a reception following the Mass in Tighe Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Kevin’s memory to St. Luke’s Hospice House, Visitation Parish Church Kansas City, or Children’s Mercy Hospital.
