Less than two weeks after 10-year-old Colton Sherrill’s sudden death June 11, Durant city officials made plans to honor his memory.

During a meeting June 26, city council officials approved a joint resolution for the establishment of the Colton Sherrill Memorial Field at the Durant Multi-Sports Complex. The Durant Community Facilities Authority approved the resolution at a meeting July 1.

Sherrill collapsed and died at a summer basketball camp in the Bloomer Sullivan Gym. He loved sports, especially soccer.

According to the resolution, “Colton Trace Sherrill epitomized the youthful exuberance for sports and good sportsmanship.”

To honor Sherrill and his family, the main soccer field at the sports complex will be named Colton’s Field.

A committee was formed July 17, shortly after the resolution passed, to serve as an advisory board for the memorial.

Group members are Judge Mark Campbell, City Manager James Dunegan, Mayor and Chairman Jerry Tomlinson, Billy Mickle, lawyer, Kenny Simpson with REI, Richard Gallegos with U.S. Foods, Curtis Armor with Shamrock Bank and Thomas Marcum, a Durant councilmember and lawyer at Burrage Law Firm.

Marcum said the group has collected funds, which they will use to construct a memorial for Sherrill at the field. Colton’s Field currently has no marker.

Any additional funds may be used for field improvements or other projects to honor Sherrill.

According to Marcum, the memorial will tentatively be unveiled at 10 a.m. Sept. 27, in time for soccer season.

He said family and friends of Sherrill are welcome to donate to the fund.

“We want to give others an opportunity to contribute,” Marcum said.

The field is only the first project, he said, and he feels confident that they will have enough money to complete the memorial.

“This is something we anticipate going beyond the initial project,” Marcum said.

For more information or to donate, call Marcum at 380-2848 or Simpson at 924-5094, ext. 242.