James Donald Seeley
January 25, 1922 - April 14, 2005
Obituary
James Donald “Don” Seeley
January 25, 1922 – April 14, 2005
A memorial celebration will be held at 10am Saturday, April 23, at BONNEY-WATSON, Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188, 206 242-1787 for Don who died at age 83. Please sign the online memorial at www.bonneywatson.com
He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Ruth; 2 children, Darrell Seeley of Bremerton; Joan Schumacher of Battle Ground, WA; 3 grandchildren, Stephen, Dana, Brian; and brother, Ken of Port Orchard, WA.
After graduating HS, Don attended the UW before going into the Army Air Corp., serving in the South Pacific during WWII. After separation from the service in 1946, Don returned to the UW to complete his teaching degree. Upon his return to college, he met and later married Ruth in September of 1948. In 1976, after 26 years of teaching music and math in the South Central School Dist, Don retired to pursue his love of antique car restoration. His talents earned him many national level awards at car shows across the country. Don’s many skills included the construction of four homes for his family and many remodeling projects. He will be fondly remembered by his family and many friends for his sense of humor, outgoing personality, and honesty. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association.
BIOGRAPHY
James Donald “Don” Seeley
January 25, 1922 – April 14, 2005
James Donald Seeley was born on January 25, 1922 in Tacoma, Washington. He was the youngest of three children born to James Adam Seeley _/_/1878 – _/_19__ and Myrtle Belle McCurdy Seeley 8/2/1882 – 5/28/1967. He was the youngest of 3 children. He had an older brother John Kenneth Seeley BD _/_/1915, a sister Doris ___ Seeley Botts BD _/_/19__ – _/_/19__. Don’s father was a millwright in the lumber mill in Steilacoom. Don grew up in Tacoma, attending Stadium HS and graduating from Lincoln HS in 1940. His mother and father played piano and violin and were in a family band that played at barn dances. Don learned to play the clarinet and piano.
He attended UW and was in pre-engineering classes for a year and a half before he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps during WW II. He enlisted on 28 March 1943. He had his basic training in Texas and began training to be a pilot until his vision disqualified his efforts. He was assigned to flight maintenance and repair in New Guinea. He enjoyed the off-time swimming and playing on the volleyball team. He was honorable discharged on 24 February 1946 with the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, American Theater Service Medal and the, Victory Medal.
When he returned home, he returned to the UW to complete his BA in Education and Mathematics. He continued his interest in music.
One day Ruth Marie Knapp saw him sit down at a piano in a music harmony class and just start playing. She remembered that he was very handsome and was wearing a yellow sweater. She graduated from Ballard HS in Seattle and was attending music classes at UW. They became acquainted and they were married on September 11, 1948 in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Seattle.
After they were married, they moved into the house in North Seattle that Don built. Don completed his Fifth Year Classes and received his Teaching Certificate. He was hired as the music teacher at Foster HS in Tukwila. Two years later he taught math classes. He would teach at Foster HS for all of his 26 years in education. Don continued to enjoy the friendship with teachers who meet each month for lunch and conversations about their lives and memories of their teaching days.
Don and Ruth built another new house on 160th where they lived for several years. Their son Darrell Edward Seeley was born on October 20, 1954. Their daughter Joan Eileen Seeley was born on August 28, 1956. The family enjoyed many activities of hiking, biking, camping and fishing.
Every year, right after school let out, the family made the annual ”big” camping trip to eastern Washington, usually to Sun Lakes State Park, the Grand Coulee area, and then north to Lake Curlew by the Canadian border. There were many fun times with the camping, fishing, and generally being outdoors. Don could and would strike up a conversation with most of the campers around us so the “family-week” usually included the friends that went on the trips with them or the new ones they had just met there. They often went up to their lot on Whidbey Island and camped out on the “spit.” It was primitive but they made do. On one trip, they went to the San Juan islands and went on a midnight bunny hunting trip to round up a few for pets. Don rigged the car with big spotlights so the poor rabbits got the “deer in the headlights” look and then we would chase after them with big nets. They got quite a catch. Holidays were always special. Ruth would work and arrange for days to hostess a big crowd of relatives and then Don, jokingly, would take the credit especially in the selection and wrapping of the gift. Dad was a good tennis player and was the coach at Foster High. It was a special day when Joan was in high school and finally beat him.
In Don’s teaching career he was instrumental in the purchase of computers for staff and teachers in the classrooms in the district. He was highly regarded and recognized for his years of teaching. In 1976, after 26 years of teaching in the South Central School District, Don retired to pursue his love of antique car restoration.
In 1968, Don and Ruth built their 3rd home on 182nd and began selling building lots in Seecrest Estates, their real estate development. In 1976, they completed their present home and moved by wheel barrow from the ”big house” on the corner.
Just before Don retired, he purchased his first old car to restore. Don and Ruth became active in the SeaTac Horseless Carriage Club. He restored his mother’s 1949 Plymouth and began buying and restoring Chrysler Airflow cars from the 1930’s. At one time he had 4 from 1934 – 1937. He restored them from the bottom up. He received the Walter P. Chrysler award and recognition for his work. Don’s cars were used in some TV advertisements. One featured Steve Largent of the Seahawks.
Don completely restored two Chrysler Woodies convertibles. He rebuilt the car, fashioned the wood for the 1947 and 1948 Chryslers, and restored them to show quality perfection. He was also restoring an early 1942 military Jeep and trailer. He was president of the Horseless Carriage Club and hosted the National Airflow Club in Seattle. The family attended many car shows. Later Don and Ruth would travel many places with their restored cars for shows and demonstrations. They made many friends in many places.
For many years after Don retired and before Ruth retired, he would set the alarm at 6:42 am, although there was no reason to get up that early except he felt the need to make sure that Ruth got off to work on time so he ”could afford more car parts.”
Don and Ruth enjoyed their family and the arrival of their 3 grandchildren. There were many gatherings on holidays and special times. He was proud of his children and took great pride in his grandchildren.
Don and Ruth were active in the Senior Hostel Program. They traveled to Holland, Denmark, Germany, and Bermuda where they enjoyed bicycling to many places. They also made trips to Mexico, Canada, and Alaska. On a trip to New Zealand, they met folks who also had Chrysler Airflow cars. They traveled a lot enjoying the benefits of their daughter’s many years of employment with Alaska Airlines.
Don was a hard workingman with many skills. He was always active. He will be fondly remembered by his family and many friends for his sense of humor, outgoing personality, and honesty. He was analytical and accurate, methodical and completed his projects.
Several years ago, Don injured his knee. A short time ago, he decided to have knee replacement surgery. He was doing well and walking the halls of the hospital preparing to return home when he died suddenly and unexpectedly. His wife Ruth and the family had been with him often during his stay in the hospital.
Don will be inurned at Tahoma National Cemetery.
He will be loved and remembered by Ruth Marie Knapp Seeley his beloved wife of 57 years; His son: Darrell Seeley and his wife Cori and their son Brian Edward Seeley; his daughter: Joan Seeley Schumacher and her husband Bob Schumacher and their children Stephen Dana; His brother Ken Seeley, and many other family members; many friends and neighbors
Prepared by Pastor Paul Kuhn
Also, please see article printed in Monday, April 26, 2005 edition of the Seattle Times, titled ”James D. Seeley, 83, was driven by classic Chrysler” By Tan Vinh.
Don was a generous and helpful neighbor and friend.
He was an exceptionally skilled, meticulous, and disciplined craftsman. He will be greatly missed.
To Don My Mentor – You were a true inspiration to me when I tackled my 1934 DeSoto Airflow restoration, and YOU STILL ARE! I already miss you. Ruth – Take Care. Thank You. James Raisbeck
As a student of Mr. Seeley I always enjoyed his sense of humor,the caring he showed in teaching, and his ever present smile. My sincere condolences to the family. In this time of sorrow, know that your father’s kind heart touched many other lives that grieve with you. I know that he will continute to watch over you in the days ahead, and may that love bring you comfort. Karen Euler Orewiler ’73 Foster Grad.
What a kind, loveable gentleman, Mr. Seeley, and one of Foster High’s best teachers. I especially remember that he came to my house after school to teach me math when I was unable to attend classes for
one quarter of my sophmore year.
Holly Bertran, ’65
You were there for us when we first came to Seattle and the South Central school district. We have fond memories of the log cabin on
Military Road. We shared many good times after games and graduations. Ruth, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
A great guy, an avid antique auto restoration enthusiast, lover of Jello and good friend. His stories and smile will be greatly missed.
I remember being small and going on picnics with Mom and Dad, “Uncle Don and Aunt Ruth”. We would play softball and just have a good time. We also had fun going to car shows together, too. Uncle Don, you will be missed.
When I was a youngster at my grandparents house Dick and Betty Seeley for Thanksgiving, Don was always one of our favorite relatives to see. He always would joke and kid with me and my brother even though we were fairly cranky kids and I remember him always having a smile on his face.
Dave and I were so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We will remember his dry sense of humor, his kindness to our children, and the joy he took in his restoring cars from the ground up with incredible skill and lots of TLC.
Don’s legacy is a loving family and a host of friends and relatives who will miss him very much.
I hope his family finds comfort in many, many happy memories of him.
Sincerely,
Jean and Dave Seeley
A wonderful neighbor. We will miss chatting with Don on his faithful walks.