Shan Satterfield

Shan J. Satterfield CWO3 US Army age 32 died December 12, 2011 as the result of a helicopter accident in the line of duty. He was born May 18,1979 in Anchorage, Alaska son of Gary and Cynthia Satterfield.

Graveside services with full Military honors for Shan will be held on June 23, 2012 at 1:00 PM at Ft Richardson National Cemetery in Anchorage, Alaska. Everyone attending the services is asked to meet at the Ft Richardson Main gate at 12:45 PM. A reception will be held immediately following the services for family and friends at the Otter Lake Lodge located on the JBER base.

Shan lived most of his life in Alaska, graduating from Dimond High in 1997, before joining the US Army in September 1997. He served in such places as Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kentucky, and Washington D.C. during 9/11. He was currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State.

Shan received numerous awards while he was a SWAT sniper and then as a helicopter aviator. He loved to fly and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially playing with Kinsley and Owen as often as his job allowed. Shan also enjoyed playing keyboard and bass guitar when he wasn't rocking out to Rockband with family. Shan had almost received his Bachelor's Degree and was considering continuing on for his Masters.

Shan will be remembered by his family as someone who had an awesome sense of humor and for his warm hugs and smiles. He was an instructor pilot, a wonderful teacher, a mentor, and respected by his many colleagues. Shan liked the quote: "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him" which defined his choice of career nicely. He will be loved and missed always.

Shan is survived by his wife Sassa Satterfield and their children Kinsley and Owen all of Alaska (though currently in WA as Shan was); His parents Gary and Cynthia Satterfield of Alaska; his brother Scott Satterfield and his wife Patricia of Alaska. He is also survived by his nephew and niece Shae and McKenna Satterfield of Alaska; his grandmothers Lanell Schmidt of MS ; his father and mother in law Lee and Sharon Seagondollar of Alaska; his brother and sister in law Mitchell and Shannon Seagondollar of Oregon; and his niece and nephew Jenna and Evan Seagondollar also of Oregon. As well as many uncles, aunts, cousins, family members and friends. Shan's grandmother Joann Satterfield passed away after Shan in January 2012.

Donations may be made in his memory for a Memorial Statue to be erected at JBLM honoring Shan, as well as his three fellow aviators who died in the same accident: Four Fallen c/o America's Credit Union P.O. Box 33338 JBLM, WA 98433 account #695824 Routing #325180634.

Arrangements entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory Wasilla, AK