Echoing the words of others, It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Alan Napleton, the beloved Founder of the Catholic Marketing Network. Alan passed away peacefully at his home in Denton, TX, on December 2, 2024.
Alan was a dear, long-time friend.
Meeting Alan
We met many years ago in San Francisco at an early Catholic radio conference. It was a multi-day conference. I had been sent to attend by a small contingency in 
southern California who sought to launch a local Catholic radio station.
Alan and I immediately connected—through a shared conviction of Faith and a shared, ready sense of good humor.
As soon as he learned I was a writer and journalist, he immediately invited me to write for his quarterly Catholic Marketing Network Trade Journal which was associated with the budgeoning Catholic Marketing Network (CMN) that he had recently launched with others and now spearheaded.
Without hesitation, I responded, “YES!”
That “yes” to Alan, led to a long string of interesting connections, travel, writing opportunities, new friends and more, as I was asked to attend all of the CMN conferences and to find and write stories about both exhibitors and attendees. It was great fun and good work for the propagation of our Faith…and of course I made many wonderful new Catholic friends, business professionals, and especially apostolate and Catholic store founders, entrepreneurs and more.
Later, Alan would randomly invite me to participate on one or another of his “projects,” including the founding of a Catholic online network based in southern California, and a few other ventures.
Don’t underestimate a young child’s learning
In early conversations, Alan shared—as he shared with everyone who knew him—that his re-version to his Catholic faith was sparked by seeing a card of Our Lady of Fatima on someone’s desk during his career in major real estate dealings. That was something that remained in my mind the most, of all the things he ever told me. I never forgot it, namely, the enduring power and life-changing impact that learning and instilling habits of faith in children, from a young age, can have on a person’s life—saint stories, stories of the lives of Jesus, Mary and the apostles, images, Holy Mass, the Rosary, and more saint stories.
Alan’s return to the faith—even amid a highly successful, big league real estate career—was anchored WAY, WAY BACK IN SECOND GRADE when he learned as a kid the story of Our Blessed Mother and her appearance in Fatima to three young children. Years later and far from the practice of his Catholic faith, the “chance” viewing of an Our Lady of Fatima mini-card on someone’s desk triggered his memory and his journey home.
A funny moment during an in-depth interview with Alan
Many years into our friendship, I was asked to do a profile on Alan for the National Catholic Register. It turned out to be a great piece, but behind-the-scenes there was some unplanned mischief during my interview with him.
I called Alan to set-up the interview and happened to catch him on a drive to and from somewhere in Texas, where he lived. As everyone knows, there can be many, MANY miles between places in the big state. And, that was the case on this particular drive, so Alan told me, “well, why not talk now because I’m in the car for long time anyway.” That said, off I went.. asking him questions and typing as he responded.
A glitch in our interview process, however, became something we’d have a good laugh over, even years later.
The interview was coming along wonderfully. As I asked questions and he was more and more freely responding during his drive, I could tell that I was getting close to uncovering something deeper that really was at the crux of Alan as an individual and as a Catholic. I wasn’t looking for what was “on the surface.” I wasn’t looking for what he often told others. At the VERY MOMENT when I felt – yes, I was reaching that point in the interview, and I was intensely listening, SUDDENLY the line went silent.
Only a fellow writer could appreciate the depth of my anguish! But what could I do?!The entire phone signal had dropped. WHAT?! Calling him back met only with his answering message.
A GOOD 20 MINUTES LATER, Alan calls me. Of course, as he put it, “Karen, you missed the best part of the interview”, but AUGH, what could we do but laugh at God’s plan?!!
His beloved son, John Paul (JP)
Anyone who knew Alan, knew also that the most cherished person in his life was JP, his only son. And what an incredible Catholic man John Paul grew up to become!
From the beginning, but especially as JP got a little older, Alan took JP with him on trips, regardless of where the destination, whenever possible. With Alan, living the Catholic faith was as integral and natural a part of JP’s growing up as breathing.
While JP was still quite young, I remember Alan one time telling me that becoming a father was the best thing that ever happened to him.
Alan said that becoming a father took away any fear of failing. At that point, his core purpose became—he lived in order to be—the best example he could be for the sake of his son.
And, as he shared with many others, Alan never failed to mention—with genuine awe—what an amazing “kid” his son was, even at a young age. Saying Alan was a proud father barely captures the bond between this father and son.
In Alan’s later years, every now and then, we’d just call and chat, or meet for lunch if he happened to be in my area and “catch up.” It was always fun and inspiring, interwoven with shared Faith… and with many hearty laughs and inspiration included.
Alan Napleton, dear friend, may you rest in peace. Even though I will continue praying for you, I can only imagine you smiling and SO HAPPY! Please remember those of us still trying to manage down here!
Grateful for having known you a bit on earth. -Karen
—————- Catholic Marketing Network: Announcing Alan’s Passing —————-
Many of you had the privilege of knowing Alan during his active years as President of CMN. His life was deeply intertwined with his Catholic faith, his large extendedfamily, and his many friends. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Robert Morris University in 1974, he worked as Senior Vice President in charge of Business Development at R&B Development until 1990. After going through a profound conversion experience that he described as a “religious reawakening”, he decided to devote the remaining years of his life to strengthening the Church. He founded the Catholic Marketing Network after seeing the need to improve the distribution of Catholic materials in the marketplace.
A natural-born networker, Alan was passionate about forging new connections and nurturing relationships. His remarkable talent allowed him to wear many hats. In addition to founding CMN in 1997, he also served as President of Basilica Press and Viva Guadalupe in 2004, Executive Director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation from 2003 to 2008, and Event Planner for the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) from 2005 to 2019. Alan also engaged in countless other activities involving the Catholic Church, always eager to contribute. There wasn’t a single project involving the Church that he wasn’t willing to be a part of.
Alan was deeply devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe. As a proud Guadalupano, he visited the Shrine of Our Lady in Mexico City many times, and it became the backdrop for significant events in his life. During his first visit to the Shrine, he met Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., one of the beloved founders of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. This encounter sparked a deep and lifelong friendship between them. Fr. Andrew even baptized Alan‘s only son, John Paul Napleton, at the Shrine in 1995. And when Fr. Andrew passed away in 2017, Alan was just about to board a flight to Mexico City — a journey he chose not to postpone, seeing it as the perfect way to honor their enduring friendship, which began at that sacred place. Finally, Alan’s funeral mass will be held on December 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe—a fitting tribute to this devoted son of Mary.
Alan will be greatly missed by his family members and friends. But we rejoice that he has gone Home to his eternal reward. Please join us in praying for the eternal repose of his soul, and for comfort and consolation for his family during this time of grief.
Click here to view Alan‘s obituary page where you can leave a message or sign the guestbook.
Alan’s Obituary Page:
https://www.billdeberry.com/obituary/alan-napleton
Flowers and Mass cards may be sent to the following address:
c/o Gary and Susan Raabe, 822 Morrow Road, Valley View, TX 76272
Funeral Mass Date and Venue:
Date: December 12, 2024 – The Feast Day of Alan Napleton’s beloved Our Lady of Guadalupe
Where: St. Mark Catholic Church, 6500 Crawford Rd. Argyle, TX 76226
Live Stream of the Rosary and Funeral Mass—Dec 12, 2024—10am CST:
Please click here to watch the live stream of the Rosary and Funeral Mass
Schedule (Central Time):
9:30 am (CST) – Visitation
10:00 am (CST) – Rosary
10:30 am (CST) – Holy Mass
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
A few photos – more on Alan’s formal obituary site here.
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