‘Fishing in the Lord's presence:' Reddin “Capt. Salty” Brunson passes away at 97 (PHOTOS)

Less than seven months shy of his 98^th birthday, Reddin “Capt. Salty” Brunson will now anchor his boat in heaven after passing away Sunday at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast due to complications from pneumonia. Brunson was born November 1, 1913.

“He was 97-years-old, going on 60,” said Sarah Matthews, a 10-year companion and friend of Brunson. “Nobody will ever forget him — he is just that type of man.”

Capt. Salty’s tales in Destin date back to 1927, when his father moved the family from the small community of Portland on the north of Choctawhatchee Bay to Destin, so they could be closer to his father’s work.

While he never held any political office in Destin, Brunson played a key role in shaping Destin’s future, whether it was through building the East Pass Marina in the 60s, helping build the first bridge into Destin from the west or being an ambassador for a growing fishing village.

In 1955, charter boat fishing was taking off in Destin and Brunson wanted to capitalize on that after he found out that Gov. Leroy Collins would be in Destin on his way to Pensacola. Brunson hatched a plan to take the governor on his new boat, “Miss Cathy.”

Collins had rejected the offer originally, saying that he couldn’t due to time, but Brunson stayed persistent and told the governor that he would have him back on dry land in 15 minutes. After thundering forward and rounding Norriego Point, they found themselves hooked to a king mackerel.

After an intense fight, the fish was on board and the governor back on the docks — under his 15-minute timeframe. The story goes that the governor stepped off the boat and said “Destin is truly the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”

Former mayor Craig Barker shared that account of Brunson in a story he wrote to The Log in 2008. Barker has spent many hours with one of Destin’s most recognized residents throughout the years.

“I just had an affinity for him from the moment I met him,” he told The Log. “We would sit and talk for hours about the history of Destin — he is just one of those vital links to Destin.”

Despite his age, Barker said Brunson was “quick-witted” and as sharp as a tack.

“He could remember details that happened 50 years ago, like they happened only five years ago,” he added.

Long-time friend and current city councilman Dewey Destin told The Log he recently spoke to Brunson during an event at his restaurant a few weeks back.

“I have known him since I was a little boy,” Destin remembered. “He worked with three generations of my family and I fished on a boat with him. He would work 20-hour days and put the younger boys to shame.”

Destin said the man’s enthusiasm and energy was just tireless and just six or seven years ago, Brunson could be seen at his home on Calhoun Avenue replacing the roof.

“A guy like Reddin, to the community of Destin, is irreplaceable,” Destin said. “Near impossible.”

Mayor Sam Seevers said that Brunson wasn’t just a man who built boats and fished, but he was part of the fabric of Destin.

“All of us are saddened by the loss of Reddin Brunson,” she told The Log. “We not only lost a great man who spent 97 years with us, but we lost part of the history and heritage of our city. He was the one true historian of Destin and will be sorely missed.”

News of Brunson’s death made its way through Destin quickly and Destin Fishing Rodeo Weighmaster Bruce Cheves shared his thoughts on the man with The Log while down on the docks Monday afternoon.

Brunson was a staple on the docks behind AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar throughout the years for the rodeo and would share stories of what fishing “used to be in Destin.”

“I hoped people learned something when he talked down at the rodeo — I learned a lot,” Cheves said. “We lost a wealth of information. I’ll treasure the fact that I got to know him.”

The stories of Reddin Brunson are endless, but some of them are worth sharing again. Matthew’s said her favorite tale Brunson would tell was about his encounter with notorious gangster Al Capone in then Boggy Bayou (Niceville).

At age 13, she said Brunson and a friend were trying to make some extra money and went to the small golf course in Boggy Bayou to caddy for some of the players when they would come face-to-face with Capone and caddy for him.

After the round, Matthew said Capone “bought them a Budweiser for their services.”

“He told so many stories,” she said. “That was one of my favorites though.”

There will be a visitation from 10 a.m. to noon April 28 at Adams Funeral Home in Blountstown and graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. at Destin Memorial Cemetery.

As painful as the loss is, Barker said he was “honored” to have known Brunson and befriended him.

“Salty was a dear friend and an indelible link to the history of Destin,” said Barker. “I will miss him terribly, but I am comforted to know that he is now fishing in the Lord’s presence.”