Sully Sullivan

Sully (Dennis Hurel)
Sullivan
In Loving Memory
Our beloved husband, son, brother and truest of friends Sully (Dennis Hurel) Sullivan passed away while working in his much-loved Hokkaido, Japan September 10. Sully was an exceptionally amazing and talented man-full of wit, humor and intelligence, who packed a ton of life and experience into his nearly 33 years with us. Sully graduated from Manti High School in Utah, lived in the Salt Lake Valley, the Seattle area, and spent many of the last years of his life in Golden and Westminster Colorado; wherever he went Sully had great friends and lifted them all. Sully grew up from infancy with a love of wild places and outdoor sports from his father-he was an expert guide of climbing, skiing, kayaking and fly fishing, and lived to enjoy and share those passions. Attending Snow College and serving as a student instructor in beloved mentor Virgil Ash's Utah Snow College outdoor education program, the scene of Sully's tall powerful frame and long flowing golden hair in those Chaco sandals simultaneously carrying a kayak, climbing rack and skis across campus to the various classes he taught was a frequent and indelible sight. Sully was an amazing climber-from childhood he was happy far above the ground and became a renowned expert in high angle construction with Make Babin at Apogee Rope Access-a skill that took him to the most remote places across the earth, where he gained an insightful perspective on peoples and places far and wide. Working as a guide in several sports across regions and continents, Sully was known for his skill at joyfully educating his passions with meticulous detail and attention to safety-he was the best at everything he did.
Sully found the love and sparkle of his life with his beautiful and beloved "angel" Dezaray Huff Sullivan of Spanish Fork Utah; together they found years of joy in travels, outdoor adventures and daily life shared together with dogs Buddy and Qozqo. Dez was great comfort and strength to Sully, and the love they shared an inspiration to all.
We will so miss Sully's warmth, incredible humor and caring spirit-his strong, gentle arms around us and that smiling face. His jokes and sly wit. His constant selflessness and looking out for others. His passion for the beauty of the wilderness, and our awe as we watched him effortlessly ski a coulour, land a trout or climb an icy waterfall.
In addition to Dezaray (Westminster Colorado), Sully leaves behind father Carl Sullivan and Masae Sullivan of Sterling Utah; mother Sheralee Elton and Dale Elton of Granby Missouri; father and mother in-law Blain and Nerrie Huff of Spanish Fork Utah; brothers Takumi Ichikawa (Sapporo Japan), Lynn Sullivan (and sister Haruka Sullivan) (Yelm Washington), Carl Thomas Jr. with Desiree Sullivan (Granby Missouri), Daniel Sullivan (Concepcion Chile); and sisters Rachelle with Justin Shields (Fredericksburg Virginia), Chisato with Clayton Shepherd (Manti Utah), Sharee with Cory Byrne (Muscatine Iowa), and Makoto Ichikawa with Tracy Wood (Taylorsville Utah); with many nieces and nephews thereof, and all of his GREAT friends (Rec Outlet colleagues-thanks so much!)-we will sorely miss you Sully and treasure each of our memories with you forever.
Sully's ashes are being spread on the summits of Asahidake mountain, Hokkaido Japan and Mt. Sneffels, Ouray Colorado, memorial ceremonies are planned for several locations including the Sullivan home in Sterling Utah, and a GOFUNDME account has been established to assist Dez or donations can be made to The American Alpine Club or the Snow College Outdoor Recreation Program-please see Carl Sullivan's Facebook page or contact him in Sterling at 801-369-1501 for more details.