Richard W. Mccandless

Fr. Richard W. McCandless, 90, of Parsons, passed away at his home on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

Richard William "Dick" McCandless was born on November 23, 1932, to Richard and Mildred St. Clair (Hutchinson) McCandless in Mitchell, South Dakota.  He grew up and attended school in South Dakota.  In 1954, Richard earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota.  He continued his education at the Episcopal Divinity School, earning a Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1962.  On June 16, 1962, he was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church.

Richard began his ministry as Vicar of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Clear Lake, Iowa.  He was ordained an Episcopal priest on December 21, 1962.  In 1967, Fr. McCandless accepted a call as Canon at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka, and served in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas the rest of his life.  His assignments included: Canon at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka from 1967 to 1971; Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in El Dorado from 1971 to 1983; and Rector at St. John's Episcopal Church in Parsons from 1983 to 2003.  While Rector at St. John's, Fr. McCandless served as the Dean of the Southeast Convocation and served 10 years as the priest of the other Holy Trinity Regional Ministry parishes, St. Timothy's in Iola; Grace Episcopal in Chanute; and Calvary Episcopal in Yates Center.  He supported the Kansas School for Ministry and offered his expertise to its formation programs.

In addition to his parochial work, Fr. McCandless was active in Parsons Kiwanis and for over 20 years, he hosted monthly birthday parties for the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center residents.  Along with his wife, Jean, Fr. McCandless served on the Labette Assistance Center Board and was a substitute driver for Meals on Wheels.  He regularly volunteered as a chaplain at Labette Health, a program he helped establish in 1985.  Other organizations he served on the original board and help establish were the Suicide Prevention Board and the Youth Crisis Shelter Board.  He also served on the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center Endowment Board and the Parsons Public Library Board.

Following retirement, Fr. McCandless stayed active and involved in the Kansas diocese and convocation, most recently serving the people at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Galena.

On April 27, 1985, Fr. McCandless and Jean Sivils were united in marriage at Zion Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Prairie Village, Kansas. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his goddaughter, Jaclynn Pickens and her mother, Edie Howard; sisters-in-law, Tena Melena (Pat); Brenda Thompson (Neal); and Linda Koch (Robert); brother-in-law, Ronny Sivils; and dear friends, Brad, Cecilia, and Katie Goebel.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Service information will be announced by the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons:

Memorials are suggested to St. John's Episcopal Church or Trinity Episcopal Church.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.