Aubrey Khalil Hayes-Reed

Aubrey Khalil Hayes-Reed (also published as Khalil Aubrey Hayes-Reed), born October 24, 1998, in Phoenix, Arizona, was a caring son, grandson, and friend whose quiet kindness left a lasting impression on those around him. A devoted student of cybersecurity at the University of North Texas, Aubrey combined a sharp mind with a patient, steady presence. He pursued both mental and physical discipline through interests in wrestling, Taekwondo, and Jiu-Jitsu, and found joy in video gaming and computer coding.

Family was central to Aubrey’s life. He was the beloved son of Alisa D. Hayes and Gilbert A. Reed Jr., and he treasured time with his extended family, who remember him for his gentle humor and thoughtful nature. Those who knew him recall a young man who offered help without fanfare, who pursued his studies with focus, and who enjoyed the quiet pleasures of learning and play.

Aubrey’s passions reflected a balance of intellect and action: the precision of coding and cybersecurity study alongside the discipline of martial arts. Friends described him as steady and unassuming, someone whose presence brought comfort and whose interests inspired conversation and camaraderie. Whether training, working on a coding problem, or spending time with friends and family, he approached life with care and sincerity.

Aubrey passed away on December 30, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. Those who loved him remember a life marked by warmth, curiosity, and gentle strength. In honoring his memory, family and friends celebrate the calm generosity he offered and the small, meaningful ways he made days brighter for the people around him. A celebration of his life was planned to give family and community a place to share memories and support one another.

His family invites those who knew him to remember Aubrey for the compassion he showed, the discipline he pursued, and the quiet joy he brought into ordinary moments. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the many friends whose lives he touched.