We are raising money to help support Brandy, Sean's wife, and their girls after the sudden, unexpected loss of their loving husband and father. Donated funds will be used for costs of funeral preparations and family support (bills, etc.)

To know Sean was to know a devoted & intentional father and husband, a man whose entire universe was anchored fiercely & beautifully in his love for his family & his three beloved children: Eden, Sage, and Ailin. He wasn’t just a father; he was their fierce protector, their safe harbor, & their absolute shield against the world. Sean’s world revolved around creating a future for his daughters, ensuring that his kids always felt safe & deeply championed in their every endeavor. He had an unwavering belief in his children’s potential & loved being present at their events to show his love & support. Suddenly and tragically, that bright light has been taken from them, leaving behind a profound, aching quiet in its place.

While we know that nothing can ever replace the daily presence of their dedicated father, we can band together to ensure that the dreams he held so closely for them are fulfilled. In honor of Sean’s enduring legacy, his family has established a protected, legal custodial account designed to act as a long-term financial shield for the children. This managed fund has been structured to cover the girls ongoing support, daily needs, effectively securing their path toward future milestones. Every contribution will be dedicated entirely to providing a foundation of absolute stability and security for his children as they grow.

During this unimaginable period of transition and grief, we invite community & friends to wrap this family in comfort, prayer, and love. Your support, whether through shared memories, kind words, or financial contributions to their future, helps carry Sean’s light forward.

This is a gift to Brandy Buell. No goods or services will be offered or received. (This is the fine print for donations/IRS.) Please don't donate above taxable gifting amount in one year. ($18,000) If you'd like to donate a larger amount, please contact Chris Buell, Sean's brother, to discuss how to do this.

Sean David Buell, 54, passed away suddenly on July 16, 2026, at Riverside Community Hospital following complications from a brief leukemia diagnosis. He is united with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and we look forward to the day that we see him again in glory.

We will celebrate Sean’s life on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Southlands Church, Brea. 2950 E. Imperial Hwy, Brea, CA 92821.

Sean was born on May 15, 1972, to George and Dawn Buell at St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach, California. He was raised in Anaheim, attending local schools and later attended Cal State Long Beach. He took up the trumpet in high school, became first chair, played in the high school marching band, and served as Band President.

The Lord grabbed Sean’s heart in his early 20s, and he always felt an urgency for people to know how deeply they were loved by Jesus. He was active in his home church serving in various capacities over the years. Sean’s family began attending Camps Farthest Out (CFO) camps in California when he was a child. He grew to become a youth leader and went on to serve in multiple positions in the organization including as a worship leader and speaker. Sean met his future wife, Brandy Ruopp, at the Iowa CFO camp and they were later married on July 12, 2003. They welcomed Eden Reign into their family in 2006. Sage Evera joined the family in 2008. And Ailin Rhema completed their family in 2010.

In the 1990s and early 2000s Sean was active in the media industry and loved to share stories of the projects he had worked on over the years. He became a licensed realtor in 1999, a licensed real estate broker in 2022, and managed teams with over 200 agents across various brokerages, most recently at Keller Williams Whittier. Sean served both the Tri-Counties Association of Realtors® and Pacific West Association of Realtors® and was on the Board of Directors for the California Association of Realtors® since 2016.

Sean was a dedicated father to his children and loved cheering them on whether they were on a stage, in the water, or just sharing parts of their day with him. He enjoyed walking his dog Huxley, showing hospitality to all who came over for a meal - especially if he got to fire up his smoker, and rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs. Sean will be remembered for his storytelling abilities, his jokes, and his piano skills, but most of all for his profound love of Jesus and people.

He is survived by his loving wife Brandy, and children Eden, Sage, and Ailin, his brothers George (Inga) and Chris (Melissa), his stepfather Tom Heslin and stepsister Kristal, his in-laws Wade and Patty Ruopp, his sister-in-law Jeana Ruopp, his nephews and nieces Erik, Lukas, Calvin, Wyatt, Dane, Madison and Morgan, and many close family members and friends.