Sean Xavier Sloan

Anchorage resident Sean Xavier Sloan, 46, died at his home on May 9, 2011.

He was born in Houston, Texas, on May 22, 1964, the first, and only son of Bob and Margaret Sloan. Shortly thereafter they moved to Palmer and currently reside in Mammoth, Ariz.

Sean grew up in the Butte area of the Matanuska Valley with his parents and three sisters and attended school in Palmer. His younger years were divided between chores necessary in a family that lived — at least in part — off the land and in exploration of Pioneer Peak and the surrounding countryside. He loved to climb the mountains, swim in the lakes, go on walks in the woods and play in the snow. As a teenager, he was known to drive way, way too fast, which made him very popular with his friends. At one time, he enjoyed playing clarinet in a band class at Sherrod Elementary School.

Sean had a lively and varied employment history as well, including a brief stint as a runway model as a teenager, fast food and construction. He had three jobs he was especially proud of, though. The first, which he started as a teenager, was at the Anchorage Times, where he earned consistent praise from his supervisors. He saw to his duties through transition as it was taken over by the Anchorage Daily News. He also worked for more than five years for Alaska Commercial Co., traveling to villages in the Bush. His favorite job of all time was at the Second Chance thrift store on Spenard Road, which he loved from the friendship he had with his employer to simple pride in a job well done. When one could catch him, Sean would bend your ear with tales of dog mushers, rural Alaskans, Bush pilots, mountain climbers and other adventurers who came to him seeking help in outfitting various expeditions.

The pride it gave him to send them on the way with smiles on their faces was obvious to any listener.

Preceding him in death were his nephew, Michael Mumphry; brother-in-law, Alan Butts; and two close friends, Sam Maus and Kirk Momartz.

He is survived by his twice-former wife and dear friend for life, Diana (Harrison) Sloan; his three children, Andrew Hager, Tiffany and Braden Sloan; his granddaughters, Glacia and Honey Jayde; his parents, Bob and Margaret Sloan; and his sisters, Letha Butts, Roberta Soolook and Arletta Sloan; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering for Sean is at Fox Run Lodge, 4466 S. Glenn Highway near Palmer, from 3 to 5 p.m., May 22. If you have memories of Sean that you wish to share, please visit the group “In Memory of Sean” on Facebook.