- Date Of Birth: October 28, 1967
- Date Of Death: February 11, 2022
- State: Alabama
Sean Brunson Reed was born in Eunice, LA, the firstborn child of John “Johnny” Irving Reed and Alma Brunson Reed.
From an early age, he was both curious and rebellious—known for countless hijinks (and laughs) for his siblings Valerie Reed, Van Reed, and Camille Reed. He attended high school at St. Edmunds of Eunice, Student Body President for the Class of 1985. He was on the Dean’s List and India Company Commander at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he graduated as a 2LT with a B.S. in International Relations in 1989. He served in the U.S. Army for six years, including Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm.
His intelligence was balanced by a love for the arts, particularly music, which led him to become the DJ of a local radio station. At the station, his interests blossomed as he curated a well-rounded mix of “only the good stuff”—jazz, punk rock, metal, pop, and more.
Sean’s life was punctuated with Cajun and Creole food, first introduced to him by his avid and accomplished father, John. He learned classic French techniques from John and eventually surpassed him in his passion for the culinary arts; it wasn’t uncommon to find the two still locked in a heated debate over the best way to cook rice.
Outside of food and music, Sean was an ardent reader, whose extensive library led him to translate his dense knowledge of history, poetry, religion, science, sci-fi and fantasy, into approachable storytelling for friends and family. There was no topic outside of his scope of interest and he let his inquisitive nature lead him throughout his life. He fancied himself an Indiana Jones-type, whose biggest adventures often involved tracing new curiosities led by his children.
Sean is survived and deeply missed by his five children: Ian Brunson Reed, Phala Grace Reed, Bryan James Patton (Taylor Waters), Kelsey Joan Stenberg (Jacob Stenberg), Eryn Elizabeth Patton (Donnie Decker); his siblings and mother; as well as his long-time friend and former spouse, Phala Lea Patton-Reed.
His family considers Sean their chief tastemaker. He introduced his “brood” of children to all of his passions, and acted as their guide for all of life’s most important lessons: road trips are the best mode of travel; honor the majesty of the outdoors; single malt Islay scotch is life-changing; question everything, never stop learning; laugh often; how to build a computer from scratch; how to make gravy and dozens of other cuisines; follow your passions even if they’re nerdy; donuts win coworkers; great coffee is always black, always; and a myriad of other lessons that shaped them into the adults he was so proud of today.
The family will be holding a private memorial in Huntsville, AL, followed by a formal entering into his family’s plot and resting place, alongside his father who preceded him [1944 – 2020] in Eunice, LA.
A playlist was prepared in his honor (shuffle recommended):
