Marion Douglas “BoBo” Sweeney, 78, of Santa Fe, passed away Sunday, February 23, 2014 at his residence in Santa Fe, Texas.
Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am, Friday, February 28, 2014 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Hitchcock. Burial will follow the service at Galveston Memorial Park.
The family will receive visitors beginning at 5:00 pm, Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Malloy & Son Funeral Home. A rosary will be held at 6:00 pm, led by Deacon Alvin Lovelady.
Marion “BoBo” was born August 20, 1935 in Galveston, Texas. He attended Kirwin High School and excelled in many sports. While playing sports at Kirwin BoBo set records in football and was a recipient of the Billy Hempel scholarship. Bobo also received a scholarship to Hines Junior College in Pearl, Mississippi. Bobo went into business for himself and owned the Texaco station in Santa Fe and was the founder of Sweeney’s Wrecker Service. After selling his service station he worked for Little Debbie as a route salesman. BoBo played for the Galveston Old Timers Fast Pitch Softball for many years. He also coached a Girls Softball team for many years in Santa Fe. After retirement BoBo loved playing dominos with his friends at the Santa Fe Senior Citizens Hall and also spending time with his family. He also loved to talk football, baseball and basketball with anyone and everyone.
Marion was preceded in death by his parents, James Joseph Sweeney and Anita Marie Junker Sweeney, as well as an infant daughter, Mary Clarita; sister, Bridget “BeBe” Sweeney; brothers, John Joseph “Jackie” Sweeney, Sr., wife Jenie, and Patrick Lee Sweeney, wife Gloria.
He is survived by his daughter, Ellen Marie Vanier and husband Jack; sons, Douglas Lee Sweeney and wife Valorie, Donald Wayne Sweeney, and Dennis Eugene Sweeney; sisters, Willie A. “Billie” Bauer and husband, Bob; Sandra Oliver and husband, Jack; and Ruth Soler and husband, Richard; grandchildren: Douglas C. Sweeney, Crystal M. Sweeney, Amber D. Armbrister, Donald Wayne Sweeney Jr., Dennis Jay Sweeney, Dustin William Sweeney, Dariann Nicole Sweeney, Thomas Derek Vanier and Amanda M. Heos; great grandchildren: Bryson and Koltyn Armbrister; Hayden and Bryleigh Vanier and Regan Heos and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Pallbearers will be John Joseph “JoJo” Sweeney, grandsons: Douglas C. Sweeney, Thomas D. Vanier, Donald Wayne Sweeney Jr., Dennis Jay “D.J.” Sweeney and Dustin Williams Sweeney.
Honorary pallbearers will be son-in-law Thomas Vanier, Richard Soler, Jack Oliver, Bob Bauer and Pete “Butchie” Ryan, Jr.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to BoBo’s doctors at UTMB; Dr. Susan McCammon; and A-Med Hospice caregivers Stacey Villarreal, Hester Dimes and Lori Vera and all of his family and friends that came to visit.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the Santa Fe Senior Citizens Council.