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Sean had many natural gifts that most would wish they had themselves. He was extremely intelligent, talented, and had a magnetic personality. He also had many qualities that most people would want their own child to have: He contributed to the greater good of society. He was loyal and devoted to the people he loved. He lent his hand when help was needed. He lived an honest life.

One of the qualities that I admired about Sean was his humility. He knew that he was talented, intelligent, accomplished, and charming, but he never boasted. He acted like his accomplishments were no big deal. He led on that his skills were normal, but they weren’t.

One of the memories that that will always vividly replay in my mind (that I can’t possibly sufficiently describe how amazing it was, but will try anyways) is one morning when we were at the beach on a big day of surf. It was one of those days that you could spend an hour trying to get out past the whitewater into the lineup, and never make it out. One of those days where, despite how big and perfect the waves were, only a few guys could actually catch one. One of those days that you had to wait for a set to end, then paddle out and hope that you can make it out before the next set comes. While I lagged getting my suit on and gear together, Sean just jumped on his board and started paddling. I sat there with another of our buddies and just watched as he somehow managed to make it out to the peak hardly getting his hair wet. As soon as he made it out, a set came, and Sean was in the perfect spot. He took off backside, and our other buddy and I just started cheering him on. It was an amazing wave. It was so big, I don’t think he ever made it to the bottom. It just kept peeling off and he rode it like the mellow soul he was. When I finally made it out to the lineup and joined him, I tried to tell him how incredible that wave was. To him, it was “no big deal,” just another wave. Maybe he didn’t know how amazing it looked from the beach, maybe he didn’t realize how big and perfect it actually was. Nonetheless, I know that if someone told me how great a wave was that I caught, I would have loved hearing all about it. Sean on the other hand, didn’t care to hear about it. He was a humble dude despite his gifts.

To me, this story exemplifies Sean. It was the most graceful thing I ever saw him do. I never got to see him use the jaws of life to tear apart a car and get somebody out. I never saw him climb through a window of a burning building and pull a little old lady out safely. I never saw him administer CPR. But I did witness several "Sean moments" where he would snap into his intense mood when it was time to get something done. Moments when us normal people would just say, wow, that was amazing how he did that. He was a gifted person. I had a ton of respect for him. It's a shame that he departed this world too soon.

Losing a friend is hard. Losing a family member in the youth of his life must be harder. Over the past several weeks, I’ve been reminded by people close to me to look at the bright side, to take something positive out of this. As hard as that is, I can honestly say that even in his death, Sean has brought people together. He was a centerpiece node in our network of friends. Because of this unfortunate situation, friends have reconnected with one another. People that haven’t talked in years are talking, telling each other stories, re-living the good times, laughing, crying, laughing some more. One thing that I know for sure is that Sean would have wanted us to all have a laugh together. That's what he was all about.
Rob Donahue
I only recently learned of this very sad news. I went to high school with Sean and last saw him about 9 years ago before I moved out of state. Sean had the most amazing energy and was always kind to me. His smile was always radiant and his positive attitude infectious. I am fortunate to have known him. Blessings to the Fleming family.

Cristen Manthe (Hubbell)
Vandenberg Firefighter Sean Fleming
The last two weeks in June have been the most difficult in the history of the Vandenberg Professional Firefighters. From a week long search for our missing brother and then a memorial service in his honor, taxed our brother and sister firefighters, their families, and the communities we live in and protect.
As firefighting Brothers and Sisters, your efforts to assist us were inspiring. These moments, although too often, demonstrates what we love about this profession. The power of our Local Unions, our camaraderie as a firefighting family, and our friendship was again tested. We stayed strong, and did the right thing. Pictures of Sean and the service can be viewed at www.vpf116.org.
The Vandenberg Professional Firefighters Local F-116 want to graciously thank those that have donated cash, food items, personnel and equipment during the search or services, and any other efforts that were made on behalf of our friend. We will always miss Sean. Thank you again for your prayers, support, and effort.


John Crotty
President, Local F-116
"Sean's last breath might have been in water but his very next
breath was with Jesus".
-FD Chaplain of Arroyo Grande Fire
Sean Fleming Eulogy

Water, it surrounds us. It’s a vast part of our world and so powerful. For us, it is a fuel we need to nourish and hydrate. As Firefighters, it is our agent of choice to cool the burning fires.
For Sean, the surfer, the fisherman, water provided fun, excitement, calmness, his sanctuary. It is more than fitting we choose this medium to pay honor and respect. To say farewell for now.
Though you are missing from our lives on earth, we know you are in heaven looking down and protecting us.
Sean, as our Firefighter, Union Brother, and Friend:
WE WILL NEVER FORGET
John Crotty
Everyday at different times my mind wanders to Sean. Maybe while I'm driving, maybe seeing something that reminds me of him, or reading the entries on his blog. Each time my thoughts go to him, I get chills all over my body. What is crazy is that it is super hot. I think these chills are coming from Sean. His spirit is alive. I feel it each time. As I embrace his spirit, I feel warm. Sean is still loved, and he is sending love back to us.
Joe
I must say Sean was a great best friend. Someone who brought love, laughter, support, and great memories. I miss him so much. I enjoyed the times we had together where ever it was it was definetly a journey. I must say Sean touched a lot of people's hearts and he was awesome to have as a friend.

I would like to share a story about Sean, there are so many as we all know, but this one I truly cherrish and of course it brings laughter along with it. You may have needed to be there to understand, but maybe not.

So here it goes. It was the time of my wedding and Leah and I had rented a spot at the Lake for a couple days. The location was where the Wine Festival is held. So we decided to have our wedding rehersal there also, oh man there is two parts to this story. So as time went on during the rehersal Sean decided to sent up his tent at the end of the night, somewhere of course out of the way. I must say it was funny watching him set it up because for one it was a long day and it became dark. He was using his flashlight trying to set it up and knowing Sean he didn't want anyone to help because it was Sean and to him it was a challenge, you know what I mean. Anyways the great thing about this story is that the day of our wedding, pictures were taken you know the throw aways and the professional ones. When we got back our wedding pictures, the profressional ones, out in the distant there sits Sean's tent and till this day I laugh because I remember how classic it was watching my boy set that tent up. Now theres a man prepared for a night or two. Ha ha! Those pictures are awesome by the way!

Another quick story was the night of the rehearsal and we finished what needed to be done, so everyone is sitting around drinking cold ones and having a good time. So of course the friend we all know loves to fish and thats what he did. I dont know how many he caught, but I do know that he decided to do what he loves and thats cook. So Sean walks to his truck, breaks out his bochi bbq with barely any propane and a very small flame. He throws on a fish and continues to cook it. So determined, he wasn't gonna let anyone tell him that it wasn't gonna cook well. It did or so I thought. One thing is for sure it was hillirious and I will definetly, definetly never forget that time with Sean, and that my friends is one of the greatest things about him. Sean was always up for a challenge and if he ever attempted it he would for sure figure it out no matter what.

I will miss you for this lifetime Sean, but I know when my time comes you will be waiting with your great smile, endless cold ones, and definetly crazy stories of what its been like in heaven.

Love and miss you dearly Sean,
Joey Wallhausen
"BROS FOREVER"
I didn't know Sean as well as I felt I know you, Charlene and Brian, but I was always struck by his wide smile and his love of life. The photos and remembrances contained on the page certainly support that about him. They also reminded me about how loving your family is, something I have always admired, and I hope that this love and closeness is able to provide some comfort to you at this terrible time.
Love, Tonia
Lost at Sea

Lost at sea
a cry
piercing like the screech of a lone gull.

Are you a shadow
lurking in the swaying kelp?

A flying fish trapped
beneath the thrashing breakers

A beacon
Smothered in the dense coastal fog

Lost without completing your voyage

Or rather

Lost at sea
a murmur
soothing like the gentle lap of the waves.

You are a whitecap
Sailing across the endless, azure ocean

A dolphin
playfully riding the surf

The sea spray
launched into the air, flipping, tumbling and flying free

The shimmer
ascending the golden steps at sunset to eternity

Lost in your own personal paradise.



Ever since I got the call that my brother was lost at sea my mind has been caught between thinking a million horrific thoughts and knowing that there is no other place Sean would rather be spending all of his time. My hope is that someday we can all be at peace with his resting place, like the latter part of the poem. I do know, that that is what Sean would want.

Happy Birthday, Seaners. I miss you.
Charlene
Love Ya Sean!
We were blessed to have you in our lives. So much I want to share, but I'll wait for beers and friends.
Sam & Cathy
My memories of Sean are somewhat vague. But I will always remember Sean as being one of the nicest guys. He was my brother's good friend and all of my girlfriends had crushes on him! He went on countless water ski trips with my family and he was the "kid" that my parents loved to have because they knew he would stay out of trouble. I spent countless hours working at the ice cream store with him and always looked forward to his music selection. He was just SO cool. I will cherish the memories that I have of Sean and will miss him.
Stacey Roberts Gannon
Sean was a great firefighter. Just a few weeks ago we talked about the upcoming bird hunting season and how we were going to have so much fun. I will miss him hunting with me. You are in my prayers.
Jeremy Camacho
When Sean became a Hotshot, he still wanted to be in construction like his Dad and uncles. So he borrowed my contractor exam books so he could get a contractor license like his Dad (he so wanted to make him proud). Even though he already had a job where he got PAID to sleep. He was proud of that. A bunch of firefighters rented a house down the street from me. Sean lived there and I could always stop by for a beer and some good conversation (building & firefighting). Will love Sean and his family for as long as my life takes me.
Bruce Bradford Gamron & Family
My favorite memory of Sean, was laughing at and with him whenever he put his chewed up gum behind his ear to "save for later." I always thought it was gross...and he thought that was funny. I've never seen anyone else do that-still to this day.
Sean and I, including many other Arroyo Grande Fire Fighters lived together in Arroyo
Grande Animal House. We shared many good experiences together. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
Love Matt Palm and crew
Sean was and will always be a part of our lives. Growing up as a teenager with Nikki, playing volleyball at our house, hanging out. He will always be with us. My heart goes out to all your family.
Ron and Sue Rood
I think the common thread was always laughter, smiles, and memories. There was always a spark in the air. Random times always led to sheer laughter about the day. From the soccer days to Sean putting on the boxing display. He was a trend setter and leading the pack. He is sorely missed but his memories lead to big smiles. Miss you brother.

Matt Arriaga
Firefighters Prayer:

When I am called to duty, God,
Whenever flames may rage;
Give me strength to save some life,
Whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person
From the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling
And to give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor
And protect his property.

And if, according to my fate,
I am to lose my life,
Please bless with your protecting
My family and my friends.
My Friend Sean Fleming

Sean is one of my best friends. He was a great guy with a great heart. He was always positive, always laughing, funny, determined, had a quick wit, fearless, and one of the toughest guys I have ever known.

I met Sean when I was about 11yrs old because our sisters, Danielle and Rachelle, were friends. Sean and I quickly became friends. Before long I met Matt Arriaga through Sean and then Rob Donahue. From then on it was trouble for the next 4-5 years…maybe longer.

We met more people along the way, but there was a stretch of time where I think the 4 of us spent everyday, all summer, at the beach. Get dropped off at 8am and picked up at 5pm for nearly two years in a row. Good times.

I experienced a lot with Sean:
*Same homeroom for two years at Matilija
*Matilija dances wearing MC Hammer pants and dancing like Kid’n’Play
*AYSO All-Star Soccer – Sean was the goalie
*Played Eagles Football together. Hardest hitter we had.
*Had a Garage Band – he played guitar and sang
*Learned how to clean a hill during fire season
*Built toboggans with 8ft long 2x6’s and 2 skateboard trucks and shot his driveway
*Butt sliding in Rancho Matilija
*Went camping at Lake Mead with the family
*Split his head open slightly while playing Marco Polo…who doesn’t cheat a little bit
and peak while playing Marco Polo?
*Boxing after school – hardest hitter.
*JV football – Called him the “white flash” because of his speed
*Learned to surf together
*Taught me to never fall asleep without blowing out all the candles in my room.
*Prom
*If you are a Firefighter your Senior Year of high school you only have to go a half
day.
*Cruise to Ensenada, Mexico – Likely still not allowed back to Papas and Beer
*Week in Cancun
*And more.

Sean was the toughest and most fearless of us all. He was good at everything he did and would always be the first to try one of our ingenious ideas. And he was always encouraging. I can still hear it…”c’mon Bri, you can do it. If you don’t, it won’t hurt that bad”.

Sean was also always positive. He liked to have a good time and never gossiped. He took things as they were and did his own thing. Even after I’d been away at college or lived in another town, when I came back it would be as if I never left. No matter how long it had been or what life had thrown at us, we would jump right in where we left off. It was great.

What I will remember most about Sean was his determination and persistence. He always knew what he wanted and went after it. This was most prevalent in his journey to become a firefighter. He knew at 16 or 17 years old what he wanted to do. He was beyond his years. He worked hard toward becoming a firefighter. He never gave up. Sean was living his dream.

What I learned from Sean is to slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy life. I need to do a better job at family and friends and worry less about the little things. I need to be better at keeping in touch. Very cliché, but as Sean would typically say, “don’t worry bout the small stuff.”

Rest in Peace. Love you brother.

Brian Farrar
Wow! Where do I even begin? Sean has impacted my life for 32 (almost 33) years. Being my younger brother I think I always felt I needed to look out and protect him. I have so many memories that flood my mind when I think of Sean. From the early days of him (and us) racing around our living room circle on our hippity hops during commercials while watching Dukes of Hazard and singing "Yee haw, Just the Good 'Ole Boys." to helping him clean and organize his room while he played the poor little brother card, which my sister and I fell for. He was so stinking cute...with that grin of his.

In more recent years, Sean and I had the chance to catch up while in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for my brother's wedding. He didn't make a hotel reservation which surprised no one and my husband Joe was coming out to Mexico later, so Sean and I roomed together. We would hang out between activities and after late night jaunts. I remember him telling me all about his work and he was so excited about what he was doing. He had goals and plans and was excited about life, it always amazed me that he had a job before me. He started working as a fireman at such a young age, which was impressive. Anyhow, we were up late talking and laughing (that low laugh that Sean has) and the hotel manager had to come to see who this man was in my room, they were ready to kick him out until I explained that he was just my brother. Sean was ready to embrace love and was so excited to be a dad. He had an ease about him that made people feel comfortable and want to be around him.

A few years ago both Sean and I were going through some rough patches in life. My heart ached for Sean and we spent hours talking on the phone every few days and countless hours visiting. We commiserated with each other and he was one of the few people I could confide everything to. Sean got it and was one of those people that just listened. He didn't try to say anything just to make you feel better, he didn't judge you or your feelings. He wanted to fix things and would do everything in his power to try and help the situation. I liked to think that I was helping him as well during this time. Although, the circumstances that brought us together were miserable, we became so close and I spoke with and saw Sean so frequently during this part of our lives, which I am grateful.

We had a chance to go to Mammoth and snowboard together (or rather hang out at lunch and after wards). Sean tore it up and I couldn't keep up with that kid, but at the end of one day everyone else stopped early and we decided to go for one more run. Sean would get so philosophical and I'm sure many of you could imagine him appreciating life on a chair ride up and then loving life even more with a cold one while we were all done for the day. He really knew how to live and enjoy the moment. He also envisioned Lake Powell 2009 during this trip...and started to make calls to the family to see that this would happen...we will need to honor this vision soon and do another trip...

I will never forget how excited Sean was for me when I told him I was pregnant. He had a heart of gold and I will forever remember his smile when I told him. I am so sad that my children will never have a chance to know him. He was so good with kids and with Keegan. When I look at Sawyer and his sweet, mellow personality and smile I see a glimpse of Sean in him and only wish that Sean would have met him. I know that we will see Sean in our lives everyday and that time will lessen the pain. I just am honored that he was my brother and friend and hope that I will meet up with him again someday.
Love,
Rachelle
Sean and I lived together for something like 6 or 7 years. We had been friends since 5th grade, through high school and the late teens and early twenties, but it was during this time of sharing a house (I believe it was between the age of 22-30 for each of us, with a two year gap between 2003 and 2005) that I really became close with Sean. We spent a lot of time together. It was activity after activity after activity for us. To try and tell each story would take me years. As I think of all the stories, I keep remembering new stories that had buried themselves in the depths of my brain.

The story I’m going to tell now is about Sean’s amazing appetite. When I mean amazing, I don’t mean amazing in the regard to the amount of food he would consume. I mean amazing in the unusual combinations of food, and the methods with which he would come up with something delicious to eat at the most unusual times:

Sean was notorious for his late night meals. We would come home from whatever shenanigans we h ad been involved in (by the way, I think “shenanigans” might have been Sean’s favorite word), and Sean would get to work on cooking up a storm. He would rifle through the cabinets and find whatever ingredients seemed especially delicious at the time, and he would put together a meal for whoever was awake. The first couple times, we would ask him what he was cooking, and he would just look at us and say “oh, you’ll see.” He was like the mad professor in the lab, throwing things together that you would never think of putting together. After the first few late night meals, we stopped asking what he was making. We just let him do his thing, knowing that in the end we were going to have a feast, knowing that somehow, it would end up being delicious.

The “Gut Bomb”
One of his recipes was simply called the “Gut Bomb”. The gut bomb was some assortment of beans, cheese, eggs, ranch dressing, Tapatio or El pato, lettuce, and pepperchinis (or jalapeños, or whatever other kind of peppers we had at the house at the time), thrown into a tortilla. Sometimes he would add potatoes, sometimes he would add fish instead of eggs and tartar sauce instead of ranch. Sometimes he simply threw everything we had in the fridge into a tortilla and served it up. These were SO GOOD. Words can’t sufficiently explain how he was able to make the most delicious tacos out of God-knows-what.

Spaghetti and Eggs
We were in Mammoth one night and he took some left over noodles and marinara sauce and threw it in the frying pan. It looked and smelled good. I sat at the bar stool and watched with a drooling mouth, waiting to eat. I was hungry after a long day of riding. I left the kitchen area for a little while, then came back to see if the feast was ready. I looked at the frying pan and saw that he had cracked an egg on top of the noodles. It wasn’t all that uncommon for Sean to be cooking complete opposites like spaghetti and eggs at the same time. But to see the egg on TOP of the noodles (with marinara sauce!)…I couldn’t believe it. I thought Sean maybe did it by accident. He insisted for years later that he did it on purpose. “It was the perfect combination!” I still can’t believe he did that. Bobby and I laugh with each other about this night. Sean was simply hilarious.

Ranch Dressing
Anyone that knows Sean knows that he likes his sauce. Everything tasted better with a big helping of ranch dressing on top. Pizza, sandwiches, burritos, eggs..you name it. Everything was swimming in Ranch Dressing. I should have bought stock in Hidden Valley Ranch once I saw how much ranch dressing he went through. He would pour a ton of ranch on his pizza…so much that you couldn’t even see the pizza. You needed a spoon to eat the ranch and then a fork and knife to eat the soggy pizza underneath. We would always have a gallon of ranch in the fridge, and a couple more on reserve in the cabinet.

Hibachi on the beach
Sean was legendary for his on-the-beach meals. He kept his hibachi in his truck, next to his wetsuit and surfboard and guitar and cooler-bag that his dad had given him as a Christmas gift one year. He had extra disposable propane bottles in case he ran out of propane in the midst of a fish taco or tri-tip post-surf feast. He kept little packages of hot sauce from Taco Bell in his glove compartment, ready to be added to the meal on the beach. There were many times when a bunch of us would be sitting on the sand, and Sean would disappear for 10 minutes. We would look at each other and ask each other where Sean went. Then we would look up above the seawall and see smoke pouring out of Sean’s hibachi. Of course, we would think, Sean is cooking us all a delicious treat. Minutes later, we would all grub down, thanks to Sean. His hibachi should be enshrined in the BBQ hall of fame. When Sean moved out of the house, I bought my own hibachi, but I was never able to replicate what he did with that thing. He is a legend for his improvisational cooking skills.

Barbecued Nachos
One summer we were camping up at Refugio beach with some friends. We had a campfire going, and it got to be late. Of course, we were all hungry. We didn’t have much to eat. Sean always found a creative way to have a nice snack. He busted out the Ritz Crackers, some tortilla chips, and some slices of cheese and made nachos, yes nachos, on the open flame fire. One of the zillion things that I learned from Sean is that anything, and I mean anything, can be cooked over an open flame. I have a photo of Sean giving the thumbs-up next to the nachos cooked on the open flame.

Sean’s first big catch
When Sean started to get into fishing about 4 years ago, he started by standing knee deep in the ocean and throwing his line into the surf. The first couple times he didn’t have a whole lot of success. He adjusted his technique and his lures, and eventually, he caught a fish. He was STOKED when he brought home his first nice catch. He worked so hard to catch that fish. He had been trying for hours, or days, to catch something, and he finally reeled a nice one in. By the time I got home from work that day, the fish was already on the BBQ. He had all the fixings ready to go: lemon, tartar sauce, cabbage, tortillas, cheese. He didn’t know exactly what kind of fish it was when he caught it, but he did know that he was going to eat that fish. When it was cooked, we sampled the fish meat and learned that it wasn’t the most delicious fish ever. It was actually kind of gnarly if you want to know the truth of the matter. But we celebrated Sean’s catch and doused that fish with plenty of tartar sauce and had our meal. He always had goals for himself. His goal that day was to bring home dinner. He accomplished that goal, despite how ugly that fish was and how bitter it tasted in those tacos. In later fishing expeditions, Sean came back with some real edible fish. He also came back with some great stories of his adventures on the water.

I could honestly write a book that details Sean’s adventures (at least the adventures that I witnessed or was a part of). It was fun for me to write these memories down so that I could re-live these good times, so that our other buddies that were there could remember these times, and still others could say “yep, I could see Sean doing that” or “uh huh, Sean made me the Gut Bomb too.” I know he made so many people in this world laugh, so many people smile. He made so many people feel good about themselves. And I also know that Sean made a solid contribution to our society. He certainly made me laugh, he made me smile, and he made me feel good about myself. He contributed to my life in many ways. I thank him for that. Sean, I miss you bro. See you on the flip side.

Love, Rob
F orget
A bout
M e
I
L ove
Y ou

Father Steve Davoren said this in his homily at Sean's service.
I have known Sean since kindergarten. We ran roadrunners track together. My grandfather really liked Sean. When my grandpa got alzheimers and he thought I was a kid sometimes, he would ask about Sean. I think it is really cool that Sean is a fireman just like my Grandpa. A few years back my grandpa wrote Sean a letter of rec. to get into a fire academy. What I will remember about Sean is how funny and how tough he was. Sean had a quick wit that was usually directed at me when I was around. I wanted to get mad, but he made me laugh too much. For toughness, I remember when we were 8th graders and used to have boxing matches. Sean boxed a high school kid and took and threw some big punches. I was so impressed, because I was scared to box Orca and he was 2 years younger than us. If Sean is gone, I assume that he is on a cloud having an original coors with my grandfather, and probably just made a joke at my expense for even writing this

Tony Henney
I didn't know Sean very well, having only met him a few times through his sister Rachelle. But I do have a wonderful memory of him at Rachelle's wedding! He and I spent some time together chatting about life and relationships and future dreams. He was funny and witty and charming. But most of all, I remember him to have positive energy ... a sort of refreshing, easy-going attitude. I just spent 20 minutes reading the blog entries and have smiled many times to read other stories and memories of such a wonderful person. I only wish I knew him better. May he rest in peace. My husband is a surfer too and I understand Sean's connection to the ocean ... Sean will always be a part of it! My love to the Fleming family.

XO, Mitzi
Dear Sean,

I miss you! You were one of my first friends in a strange high school when I moved from Texas. I thought you were the coolest and was shocked you wanted to be my friend. You took me under your wing and treated me like a younger brother in a way. Your accent and tone was and will always be unique. You make me laugh man! You still do...I think of so many memories we had, so many times laughing until all hours of the night, that grin of yours, you always had a smile from ear to ear. I try and describe the way you were, the way you talked the way you laughed, who you were and what you stood for to all my friends here in Texas. You bring a smile to my face. I miss you very much. You were like no other. You were a great friend to everyone, we were all lucky to have been close to you, loved by you, shared with you, laughed with you and adventurous with you. You were one of a kind!

I remember when you worked at Ojai Ice Cream, Hahaha! I can still see you back there with your hair in your face making ice cream. Ice cream that wasn’t on the menu. I’m sure you were taught how to make the ice cream the right way, but you did things your way. Hahaha...you’d make me come back there and taste what you were brewing up, “Good-huh?,” (then you’d always answer your own question), “Nooo...need’s more milk, huh?” Haha...!

I remember you always inviting me to come over and skateboard with you, Matt and Rob below your parents house. I remember sitting in your room in high school listening to you play guitar, I had no idea what you were playing, you’d make that funny guitar face and play some riff for a while, then stop...pause and say, “how about that?” (answering your own question again)...”yeah, I think soooo...!”

I asked if you had made that up, you said, “Ha! I wish...no that was Jimmy Page man.....you know, Zeppelin!”

I never knew how to play guitar and you taught me how. You taught me how to play, “How Many More Times,” by Led Zeppelin. I thought it was the most complicated song at the time time. You even gave me an old Peavey guitar of yours to take home and practice with.

I remember you always wanting to hangout with me. I thought that was really cool of you, because I was a new kid in a small town and you treated me like a friend you had known forever. That meant a lot to me Sean, makes me tear up thinking about it. I felt like I didn’t have any friends sometimes, being the “new kid” and you were always such a great friend to me from the first time we met.

After I left Ojai and went to college in Texas, we always stayed in touch, (I don’t know how, this was before cell phones still). After I graduated from college and moved back to California, I lived in Santa Monica and Venice Beach for three years. You would always come down and visit. We had a lot of laughs, shared a lot of stories, went a lot places together and leaned on one another.

I can’t even believe this is happening, I can’t even believe I’m writing any of this. I’ve been listening to, “How Many More Times” on my ipod, in my car, on repeat, for the last two weeks. I sit here and tear-up because you were such an amazing person, such an awesome friend, such a unique individual. You were a leader amongst your peers. I always admired you and looked-up to you Sean. I thought you always had it together when you knew what you wanted to be, which was a Firefighter. Especially at age when we were still learning to wear a belt to school.

Everybody misses you very much. You will always make me smile and laugh brutha! Thank you for being such a great friend to me “Fleming”! I pray you are with our Father in Heaven! I pray your family finds peace in their hearts. You brought endless joy to your family and all your friends. Your presence touched so many lives. You saved so many lives. You will be forever missed.


Your Friend Forever,

Shane Allison