Sean Richard Stephenson

Staff Sergeant Sean Richard Stephenson

Staff Sergeant Sean Richard Stephenson, beloved son and brother, too quickly left his family and friends on Monday, August 25, 2008, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Sean was born August 29, 1980, and is survived by his mother, Annanelle Stephenson; his father, Rich Stephenson; his stepmother, Angie Stephenson; his best friend and brother, Colby Stephenson; his brother, Jordan Stephenson; and his niece, Halle Ray. Other surviving family members include Alice and Daryl Ratliff and their daughter, Ashley Myrna Reid and her children, Barbara Holloway and Jimmy Robison, Bonnie Woodson and her sons, Eric and Brett Woodson.

Sean was preceded in death by his grandparents Jim and Phyllis Stephenson, and Audrey and Roscoe Heishman.

Staff Sergeant Sean Stephenson served with distinction for over eight years of active duty military service. He represented the Engineer Branch while serving in Giessen, Germany, at Fort Bliss, Texas, as well as two deployments supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. His career came full circle when he returned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in August of 2008 to serve as an Instructor. Fort Leonard Wood is where his career began for Basic Training and Engineer Advanced Individual Training. He showed himself to be an exceptional leader, trainer and Soldier.

Sean Stephenson graduated from Harrisonburg High School in 1998 and joined the Army in December 1999, and arrived at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, in February 2000, where he completed Basic Combat Training and Combat Engineer training in August 2000.

His first duty assignment was as a Combat Engineer at the 43rd Combat Engineer Company, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Carson, Colorado. While serving at Fort Carson, Sean Stephenson reached the rank of Private First Class, and was awarded two Army Achievement Medals.

His second duty assignment was with Alpha Company, 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Giessen, Germany from March 2002 to October 2005. Then Private First Class Stephenson, quickly rose to the rank of Specialist, where he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for competing and winning the Brigade Soldier of the Quarter, and went on the earn the Army Commendation Medal for winning the Brigade Soldier of the year. Specialist Stephenson was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal for exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity.

While assigned to the 16th Engineer Battalion, Specialist Stephenson deployed as a Team Leader and Track Commander, where his leadership skills and Combat Engineer proficiency earned him the rank of Sergeant. He served as a Squad Leader in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 30 April 2003 to 10 May 2004, and was awarded two Army Commendation Medals for superior service and dedication to duty. Sergeant Stephenson, after returning from Iraq, went on to earn another Army Commendation Medal, before being assigned to Fort Bliss Texas.

Sergeant Stephenson was assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division from October 2005 to July 2008, where he served as a Squad Leader and Section Sergeant. His skills as a leader and Combat Engineer were recognized again by his rapid promotion to Staff Sergeant. He deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom for a second time, and served as a Squad Leader where he was awarded the Bronze Star for Exceptionally Meritorious Service. In addition, SSG Stephenson was awarded an additional Good Conduct Medal for outstanding service and proficiency.

In August 2008, Staff Sergeant Stephenson was assigned to the Combat Training Company, Training Support Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood Missouri as a Instructor/Writer, where he was selected to train and prepare new Soldiers for combat. He was specifically selected for this critical assignment because of his years of combat and route clearance experience.

SSG Stephenson's Awards include: The Bronze Star Medal, Five Army Commen-dation Medals, Four Army Achievement Medals, One Presidential Unit Citation,

One Meritorious Unit Commendation, Two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with one Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with a "2" device, Army Service Ribbon, Two Overseas Service Ribbons, Combat Action Badge,

Drivers Badge for Wheeled Vehicle, and Drivers Badge for Tracked Vehicle.

SSG Stephenson's Army Schools include: Basic Non-Commissioned Officer's Course for Combat Engineers, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer's Course (General), Route Reconnaissance and Clearance Leadership Course, Explosives Ordnance and Disposal Basic Course, Warrior Leader Course, Combat Life Savers Course, Total of 359 hours of Correspondence Courses, Combat Engineer Advanced Individual Training, and Basic Combat Training.

Sean had an infectious smile and loved the outdoors. He was an avid snow boarder, four wheeler and motorcycle enthusiast. Sean recently visited his mother's home in St. Croix where he developed an interest in scuba diving. He enjoyed cooking and grilling, especially with his friends. Sean adored his dog, Sasha.

Sean loved the Harrisonburg area and the beauty of the Valley. Often when he visited, he would sleep with the windows open just to hear the rain and the trees rustle. He loved to take his dog to the river to swim. Mostly Sean loved spending time with his brother, Colby, and his friends whom he treasured. Sean's family is blessed to have been able to spend time with him during June and July before he moved to Fort Leonard Wood. He drove 3 days straight from El Paso so he would arrive on time to attend a family reunion in Charlottesville. Sean is a hero to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed but his spirit and exuberance for life will be in our hearts forever.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, August 29, 2008, at the Lindsey Harrisonburg Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, August 30, from Bethany United Methodist Church with the Reverend Don Hawks officiating. Interment will follow at the Naked Creek Cemetery with Military Honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fort Leonard Wood - AUSA, Wounded Warrior Fund, P.O. Box 410, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473 or The St. John's Foundation, 1235 E. Cherokee, Springfield, MO 65804, Attn: Jennifer Battagler.

Online condolences may be sent to the Stephenson family at lindseyfuneralhomes.com


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.