Sebastian Clay Surom, 24, of Iowa City passed-away peacefully in the comfort of his home on May 5, 2020 following a long illness.

Sebastian or “Seb” as many of us know him by, was born June 14, 1995 in Waterloo to Clay Surom and Susan Stanley. He grew up in Iowa City with his two younger sisters, Savannah, and Sophia. Seb attended Helen Lemme Elementary School, as well as South East Junior High and Iowa City High School. After graduating from Iowa City High School in 2013, he attended St. Olaf College to earn his bachelor’s degree. He later moved back home to Iowa City, where he began working for a local flooring company.

Sebastian was a dedicated boy scout for many years, eventually earning the title of Eagle Scout. He loved to be outdoors, especially if it meant he got to bring his pocketknife or hatchet along. He would spend hours helping others outside, passing the time by discussing politics, and whistling. For many summers he worked as a camp leader for the Howard H Cherry Scout Reservation Camp. It was here that he found his passion for leading others and discovered his almost weekly need for mom’s cowboy chowder.

Seb was extremely gifted in many aspects of life. He spent many hours swimming with the swim team at City High School. However, at an early age it became clear to Seb and everyone around him that music was where his heart truly lied. There was hardly an instrument Seb didn’t play. He was a passionate pianist, beautiful French hornist, self-proclaimed bag pipe player, and for many years he brought his harmonica with him EVERYWHERE. While his instruments were fun, Sebastian’s voice is what many will remember him by forever. He had a deep, soothing voice. It was the voice of the true gentle giant that he was. He spent almost every waking moment in choir, band and show choir during high school. Sebastian went on to further pursue his music passion and attend St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Here he was a member of choir, and various other music groups such as the all-male 10-voice a cappella group, The Limestones. It was through all these groups that he developed friendships that would last a lifetime. His love for music gave him the experience to travel across the country, around the world, and made him a man to remember.

Sebastian’s faith was also something that he was known for. He was an inspiring philosophic debater and absolute lover of anything related to Martin Luther. He was a lifelong dedicated member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. It was here that he and his family worshiped together and where he announced his call to Christ, eventually expressing his wish to attend seminary. It is through Christ the King Lutheran Church that Sebastian and his family found many friends to guide and support them through his illness, and it is this church community that will continue to support the family as they grieve his passing.

Sebastian’s smile and love for others will be one of the many things missed by his friends and family. He earned the respect, friendship, and admiration of all who knew him. His positivity through his illness remained the same and no matter how hard it got. He fought everyday and got through it without a complaint, until his body had endured enough, and the fight came to an end.

Losing a man so young is one of life’s most painful tragedies. Because of this, the list of survivors is long.

Survived by; his mother, Susan Stanley of Iowa City; his father, Clay Surom of Adel, Iowa; his two younger sisters, Savannah Pomerleau (Surom) of Des Moines, and Sophia Surom of Iowa City; his brother-in-law, Jonny Pomerleau of Des Moines; his nephew, Mason Pomerleau of Des Moines; his maternal grandmother Jane Stanley of Iowa City, and paternal grandfather Herb Surom of Cedar Rapids, IA; as well as Uncles Corey Surom and Chad Surom.

Followed in death by; his maternal grandfather, Raymond Stanley; and his paternal grandmother, Anne Surom.

With Seb’s involvement in so many groups throughout the entirety of his life, we know all of you out there have SO many memories that his family would love to hear. We would also love to see any and ALL of the best Seb moments through all your photos and videos of him. Seb’s character had many sides to it, all unique and special and we want to cherish those forever.

Please help us remember the brilliant, fun and loving Sebastian we were blessed to know by sharing a memory, photo, or video of Sebastian on this website. 

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