Dennis Lee Reed

Dennis Lee Reed passed on May 23, 2024 at his home in Corpus Christi, Texas. The youngest of three children, Dennis was born February 11, 1969 in Corpus Christi, Texas to parents Kenneth “Buddy” Reed and Eloise Hester Reed.

Dennis grew up in Portland, Texas where he made many lifelong friends. When he was in third grade, his father’s job with Reynolds Aluminum took the family to Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela. Dennis became fluent in Spanish and acted as unofficial family interpreter. The Reed House served as the social gathering place for the Portland Reynolds Families living in Puerto Ordaz. Bumper pool was a big competition and Dennis quickly became the champ. Not even Mr. Turnipseed could beat him.

The Reed Family returned to Portland a couple years later. Dennis reconnected with old friends and made new ones. He had a tight group of friends that stuck together through adulthood. They called Dennis “the Master.” He served as master of ceremony during the gang’s annual Christmas drop Bingo games. Watching the Masters together was another annual event for the group. Dennis was the master of trivia, probably due to his voracious reading habit.

Dennis married his sweetheart Shawn Marie Strain on February 6, 2010 in Las Vegas. They told everybody they were going for the Super Bowl party, which they did attend. The couple just forgot to mention that they were also eloping.

Dennis graduated from Gregory-Portland High School in 1987. He attended The University of Texas at San Antonio and then Blinn College in Bryan, where the partying was better. He worked as a tennis pro at the Corpus Christi Country Club, and was especially good at training children. The kids called him Dennis the Menace who teaches tennis. He later worked as a real estate agent. Dennis was a member of the US Tennis Association and a huge NASCAR fan. He loved playing golf and hanging out with his friends, and eating candy in the middle of the night. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife Shawn, especially to Fredericksburg, Nashville, New York City, and Europe.

Dennis is predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife Shawn Marie Strain, sister Penny Maingot (Gerry) of Corpus Christi, brother Kenneth Reed of Ingleside, beloved uncle Kenneth Hester of San Angelo, many nieces, nephews and cousins, and numerous friends, including “second mother” Marietta Koester.

With details soon to come, Shawn and Dennis’ friends and family will celebrate Dennis and say goodbye with one hell of a party.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads’ Funeral Home. (361) 643-6564 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com