PALMYRA – Dustin, 19, a beautiful, young man with a huge heart, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, June 30, 2009, due to injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident. Dustin was born Dec. 1, 1989, to Fred and Catherine (Fuller) Small. He received his diploma from Nokomis Regional High. He enlisted in the Army in September 2008. Dustin completed basic training at Fort Jackson and AIT at Aberdeen Proving Ground before being stationed with the 2nd HET 360th Transportation Co. at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and achieved expert in rifle marksmanship. He is survived by his father, Fred Small; his daughter, Kaycee; his brothers, Derrick and companion, Kim, Tyson and Forest; his mother, Cathy Nelson and her companion, Henry Stratton, all of Palmyra; Henry’s son, Hank of Plymouth; Henry’s daughter, Ginger and her fiance, Mike, and their children, Joseph and Avery, all of Augusta; Morgan, his forever love, of Newport; maternal grandparents, Donna Fuller of Skowhegan and William and Debbie Fuller of Randolph; paternal grandfather, Wayne Small of Palmyra; aunts, Kara Fuller of Randolph, Rosa McGrail and her sons, Joseph and Christopher, and her companion, Tom Breingan, of Solon, Pam Fuller and her children, Tricia, Paul, Patrick and Cailee of Skowhegan, Caroll Davis and friend, Joe, of Brewer; uncles, Raymond Small and wife, Bonny, of Canaan, Alan Small and wife, Patty, of Palmyra and Dorian Small of Arizona; and the family dog, Chevy. Thank you Warren, Ronnie and his best friend, Trevor, for Dustin’s home away from home. Dustin is also survived by and will be greatly missed by many more aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and “battle buddies.” Dustin was predeceased by his paternal grandmother, Marie Small; his uncle, Alan Fuller, of whom he had great respect; and his cousin and his hero, Jon McGrail. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Sebasticook Valley Hospital Emergency Services, as well as to the Life Flight crew who cared for our son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. Your efforts were tremendous and appreciated. Friends and family may call 3-5 p.m. Monday at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main St., Newport, where military funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, with Pastor Al Worden officiating. An Army honor guard will assist in committal services after the funeral at East Cemetery, Skowhegan. Dustin was a young man full of life, love, fun and adventure: a person who was always there to give and rare to take. In the spirit of helping others, Dustin wished to be an organ/tissue donor. Due to the severity of Dustin’s injuries, donation was not an option. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to New England Organ Bank, One Gateway Center, Suite 202, Newton, MA 02458-2803 or please consider organ/ tissue donation. To do so, designate yourself as a donor on your driver’s license or ID and make your wishes known to family and friends. Please visit www.neob.org for more information. Those who wish may sign an online guest register and leave written tributes at www.CrosbyNeal.com.
PVT. DUSTIN R. F. SMALL
