Sean Small Obituary

With bittersweet and heavy hearts the Small family announces that on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 Sean Cole Small was called peacefully into the arms of our loving Savior. Fiercely loyal, fiercely protective, and always fun-loving, our Sean found joy (and opportunities to fish) in every moment of his 30 years. Born June 3, 1992 to Mark and Connie Small in Durango, Colorado, he was one of our nation's heroes. With over ten years of military service in the US Army before his health forced him into medical retirement, he loved his service as a Combat Engineer. Promoted through the rank of Staff Sergeant, his military decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, three Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon. He served at Fort Riley (Kansas), Fort Carson (Colorado), Fort Bliss (Texas), and deployed to Kuwait and Ethiopia. His medical retirement did not stop him continuing to be a hero to all who knew him with his staunch determination in his battle with brain cancer. He rang the bell only to have it recur, but his attitude and faith inspired all who encountered him and his spirit lives on through his family and children. Sean is lovingly remembered by his wife Becca and his children Cole (8), Katy (7), and Everleigh (2) as well as his parents Mark and Connie Small of Mancos, Colorado; brothers Ross (Alissa) Small of Belton, Texas and Luke (Megan) Small of West Point, Utah; sister Melanie (Shane) Armendariz of Fruita, Colorado, and grandma Helen Small of Cortez, Colorado. Uncle Sean will also be dearly remembered and always loved by his 10 nieces and nephews, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as the Tucker Family, his forever family in-love. Our families are profoundly grateful for his life and the support of our amazing community. We cannot express the appreciation we feel for words and cards of support and donations made to the family. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations via venmo to @SmallFamilyFund-Small or to Dolores State Bank. We look forward to your presence at a Military Honors Ceremony at 3pm on Sunday, March 12, 2023 in Mancos, Colorado at Cedar Grove Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at the Mancos Community Center.