Akeem J. Reefer

Akeem Joshua Reefer, age 29, of Huron, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at his residence. His funeral service will be on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 5:30 pm at Welter Funeral Home in Huron. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service. Memorials are preferred for various expenses and can be sent to the family in care of Welter Funeral Home. Akeem Joshua Reefer was born on June 1st, 1996, at St. Croix, US Virgin Island, to Jelani Reefer and Latoya Donawa. Akeem started his life as an "Island Boy" (one of the many nicknames his daughters had for him). Many lifelong friends were made at St. Croix in the neighborhood of Humbug. He grew up on his grandma, Eartha Grey's, peaceful acreage where he was under the watchful eye of his Aunt Krystal Reefer, "Mommy" Eartha Grey, and "Reefer" Rupert Reefer. He loved to talk about memories of running through the 'bush" on his homemade short cuts, playing with his friends and cousins, chasing "chicharron", chickens, and taking care of his rabbit, dogs, and pigs. Akeem loved tell stories of his baseball days. His talent took the Angels to the Youth World Series in Puerto Rico. When Akeem was 13, he moved to Bellingham Heights, WA to live with his father, Jelani Reefer. There he was welcomed by his father's partner, Mandy Smith. Mandy became Akeem's mother and he loved her with all his heart. He also gained a new brother Jordan Smith, they became inseparable immediately. Akeem was loved by Mandy and Jordan's family. While in Washington, Akeem attended Shuksan Middle School and Squalicum High School. Akeem kept himself busy by playing sports; he played baseball, basketball, and football. Akeem's personality drew people to him; he had no problem making friends. His best friends included Dajalyn Mitchell and twin brothers Luke and Danny Weber. In 2015 Jelani moved to Ethan, South Dakota. Shortly after Akeem followed and met another special lady, Myrna Adams. In Ethan he enjoyed having his own apartment for the first time. Jelani was working for Coborn's Grocery Store and got Akeem his first "official" job. Working for Coborn's they traveled together to wax and clean floors in all the Coborn's locations. When working in Huron's Coborn's he was close enough to pop up on Courtney's dating app. Akeem and Courtney had their first date at Big D's Timeout, April 28th, 2015. Akeem liked to give Courtney a hard time for playing hard to get and "ignoring" him for what seemed like "forever" after that but, on August 5th, 2015, they made it official and he met Isabella and Kendall for the first time at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD. When Akeem and Courtney decided to move in together, Courtney and Isabella went down to Ethan and helped him pack up his stuff to live in his forever home. There they made many memories and built a wonderful family together. On February 18th, 2020 they were married. Akeem had a natural talent for cooking that was heavily influenced by his Grandma Eartha and his island life. Courtney could see this passion for cooking in Akeem and asked him to work with her at Ryan's Hangar Restaurant. At the Hangar he worked under Ryan and became head chef. He would meet many coworkers who became great friends along the way. Akeem and Courtney spent countless hours working together at the Hangar and it became a second home to them. Many precious memories were made at the Hangar. After many years at the Hangar Akeem moved on to be head chef at Ground Round. He also cooked for Sunquest, Big D's, the Plains, and Huron Country Club. One month before his passing he had created a menu for his very own food truck called Taste Dey Caribbean. July 30th, 2020 Akeem's life changed forever when Mellody Redd Reefer was born. Akeem and Mellody's summers were spent at Splash Central almost every day since she was a baby and they made many pool friends. Akeem picked up Mellody from preschool every day and they would spend time with family and friends, go to the library, and park, watch their favorite show Spongebob, teach her how to cook, and play with dogs Luna, Leon, and rabbit Lola. Akeem, Courtney, and girls would like to take frequent trips Sioux Falls to visit Aunt Laci and Uncle Xander. Akeem loved his girls, food, and making people laugh. He will always be our "Island Boy". Akeem is survived by his wife Courtney Cathryn Reefer of Huron; three children, Isabella Kathryn Lafreniere, Kendall Dale Lafreniere, and Mellody Redd Reefer; his father, Jelani Reefer; his mother, LaToya Donawa; his step-mother Mandy Smith; his aunt, Krystal Reefer; his siblings, Jahniya Reefer, Alshaday Reefer, Zuri Reefer, Ebone Donawa, Jordan Smith, Quandell Milligan, and Jaevyn Salter; his grandparents, Eartha Grey, Laurie Thomas, and Rubert Reefer. Akeem was preceded in death by his great grandparents, Addie & Max Fredrick; his brother, Tashawn Elizee; and two friends, Malik Joseph and Gyasi Chiverton.