Colonel Lee J. Brundage

June 7, 1945 – May 10, 2022

Colonel Lee J. Brundage, a retired United States Air Force fighter pilot, an avid Cajun and Zydeco dancer, and founder of the Frenchmen Street Fais Do Do Concert Series passed away May 10, 2022.

Since the fall of 2019, Lee had undergone chemotherapy and radiation to address stage-four throat cancer. Many of you may also know that he lost his wife and dance partner, Sue DeBrecht, in September 2021. Though both faced immensely challenging obstacles, they loved and supported one another and many others along the way while keeping their amazing senses of humor

Lee loved to share the joy of Cajun and Zydeco music and dance. His Fais Do Do concert series, which he organized and partially funded for over ten years, introduced many tourists and locals to our community and provided a unique double stage with "no stinking breaks" to ensure non-stop energy, music, and fun, just the way Lee liked it and loved to live his life.  Lee had a love for classical music, his favorite was Finlandia.  He flew over the Grand Canyon with Also Sprach Zarathustra playing in his mind.  As a young man he prepped for NYC dance nights with Ride of the Valkyries.  Also, Lee was a tremendous New Orleans Saints fan.  In his last month of life, he made multiple calls to be sure his 20+ years of consecutive season tickets were secured.

Lee's gleeful, fun-loving, and slightly silly nature were a stark contrast to his 33-year military career. So stark, in fact, that many found it hard to believe that he served as a decorated fighter pilot in every major conflict beginning with Vietnam and ending with Desert Storm. He spent 23 of those 33 years in New Orleans and raised his three children in his cherished Gretna family home.

Throughout his career, Lee logged an impressive 6350 flying hours and 219 combat missions. He won over 150 group, wing, and overall "Top Gun" awards. Moreover, the unit he commanded was the most highly decorated Desert Storm unit; and it was the only reserve unit to ever be called to combat.

Lee earned his undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University where he played college baseball. While working full time and raising children, he earned an MBA from Loyola University with a 4.0 GPA. He was a star baseball, basketball and football player at Edgemont High School in Scarsdale, New York.

In addition to his wife, Lee is preceded in death by his Mother Marjorie Naess; his son, David Lee Brundage, Sr.; and his sister Lynn Padilla, and his brother, Commander William B. Tirrell.  He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Rebecca Brundage and their children Abigail and Claire; his grandson David Lee Brundage, Jr.; his daughter and son-in-law Michelle and David Barnes and their children Tucker and Theo; his brother Robert Y. Brundage; and his sister Laura Tirrell and her husband Mark Mering.  He is also survived by his lifelong best friend, Rob Ciricillo.

Lee spent his last few weeks in Houston with family and passed away peacefully with his son, Robert, at his side.

Lee's service will be held at the Houston National Cemetery on his birthday, June 7 th , at 9:45 am.  A Celebration of Life will follow at the Brundage's home.

In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation can be made to the ALS foundation.