Celebrating the Life of Sean Benton Charles Mulkey

February 27, 1996 – December 8, 2023

Sean Benton Charles Mulkey was born in Springfield, Missouri on February 27, 1996, to parents Sonyha and David Mulkey. Sean started his journey out on the Mulkey Farm in Ash Grove, Missouri with older sisters, Chelsea and Emily. When he was about one year of age, the family relocated to Hickory County, Missouri where the "Lake House" welcomed an upbringing on the Pomme de Terre Lake during the week with visits to the farm on the weekend. Sean attended kindergarten at Skyline Elementary School through seventh grade in Skyline Middle School. During this time, he proved he was the most athletic in the family as he was successful in football, basketball, baseball, golf, soccer, and fishing. He could also outperform his sisters in their respective sports, gymnastics and dance! He wasn't afraid to try anything new—maybe it's better to say he wasn't afraid of anything . No one was a stranger to Sean, and, on more than one occasion, his parents would look up from a restaurant's dining table to find him sitting and chatting with another family. Sean had an amazing ability to connect with people, and this grew as he did. The little blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy had the BIGGEST heart and BEST smile.

He was curious about everything and extremely creative. He crafted all sorts of tools and artwork growing up. He was five when he karaoked one of his favorite songs at the time, "Red Dirt Road" by Brooks & Dunn. He enjoyed playing the guitar and took lessons for a while until his athletic schedule became too rigorous. Sean began eighth grade at Ash Grove Junior High where he quickly made what would become lifelong friends. Sean was starting quarterback and kicker his junior and senior years for the Ash Grove Pirates. His remarkable talent was preserved in the school record books. In 2012, Sean completed 65/144 passes, totaling 880 yards and six touchdowns. The next year, he completed 79/147 passes, totaling 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns during the season. He holds several kicking records for Points After Touchdown (PAT) with seven in a single game, 49 in a single season, and 100 for career high. Sean was just as decorated on the golf course.

During his golf career at Ash Grove, he made MSHSAA State Championship appearances all four years, finishing third his senior year and missing second place at State his junior year by one stroke which resulted in a tie for sixth instead. Some of his accomplishments include: First Team All-State and Conference Champion his senior, junior, and sophomore years; shot a 73 to win the Greene Hills Invitational, 71 at Junior City Championship at Bill & Payne Stewart; and he placed fourth overall at the Southwest Missouri Junior Golf Association playing only 10 out of 16 events. Upon graduation in 2014, Sean received interest and offers to play golf from 18 colleges and universities—ranging from Hawaii Pacific University to Concordia College-New York to California State University-San Bernardino. Keep in mind how big Sean's heart was… He followed his high school sweetheart to a local university and transferred mid-semester to Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC). After a two-year hiatus from golf, a handful of schools were still interested in having Sean join their teams. However, life kept Sean close to home.

After OTC, he worked at Arc of the Ozarks before gaining interest in home construction and remodeling. He was employed by a couple of companies before joining a hunting and fishing buddy's business. He remodeled homes and took on other construction projects for who he said was "the best boss," Courtney King. He still worked on the family farm, too. His unique schedule allowed him to enjoy the great outdoors frequently. Sean and his father (whom Sean affectionately called "Ginge") fished in hundreds of tournaments over the years. Most notable was the 2017 Bassmaster Team Championship where 168 teams represented 33 states and three countries. Sean and Ginge led the tournament after the first day and finished fifth overall. In 2018, the duo fished more than 40 tournaments together.

If Sean wasn't hunting or fishing, he was golfing. If not on the water, course, or pasture, you'd find him hanging with his beloved pups, cookin' up something wild (but delicious), or listening to music while designing swimbaits. He also mastered the craft of fly-tying. His creative trout ties were sought after; there were regular customers that always looked forward to the next model. Sean had always hoped to meet someone special and eventually begin a family. He dreamed of being a father, and he would have been an amazing one—patient, compassionate, empathetic, fun, adventurous, and so much more.

On December 8, 2023, Sean unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 27 years old. Sean is survived by his parents, David and Sonyha Mulkey; sisters, Chelsea and Emily; and canine companions, Blondie and Bullet. Both his maternal and paternal grandmothers, aunts, and cousins are still around. There is a multitude of loving family members and friends whose lives Sean made brighter with his bubbly personality and caring demeanor. Sean was so loved—Sean was love, and he loved HARD. In his memory, donations are requested to the high school scholarship fund started in his name, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and/or your local conservation agency.

To Our Beautiful Boy: "Smell the sea and feel the sky; let your soul and spirit fly" (Van Morrison, 1970).

Did You Know Sean…

·           was colorblind and ambidextrous

·           could catch fish whenever he wanted to

·           adored John Prine, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tyler Childers, Rosanne Cash and others

·           took a bite out of the heart of his first buck

·           saw a live MMA fight in Cancun, Mexico

·           crashed a bicycle with a basket full of drinks and didn't lose one (#clutch)

·           snorkeled off Captiva Island in 2021

·           coined his father's nickname, "Gingersquatch"

·           played golf regularly with his "old men" buddies

·           made the best jerky, wings, and green beans

·           created a taser using a camera in grade school

·           played dress-up with his sisters and cousins (real men do wear pink—and dresses)

·           hated wasps and coyotes

·           lived for the moment

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield, MO.