The Newspaper of Record since 1878
It is with great sadness that the family of John William Seeley reports his passing on April 11, 2019.
Born in Globe on June 10, 1926, to Bill and Emma (Joy) Seeley of Young, Ariz., he grew up on a ranch in Pleasant Valley and worked as a cowboy on most ranches in the area, working with cattle and breaking horses.
At 17, he enlisted in the Navy to fight in World War II. For two years, he served in the Armed Guard on the gun crews aboard merchant marine ships protecting them from enemy subs and planes.
They had a couple close calls but were able to avoid catastrophe. He went around the world two-and-a-half times, seeing how others lived in places he had never heard of before, quite an adventure for a cowboy from Pleasant Valley.
As he sailed around the world, he carried a picture of his sweetheart, Laura June Thurlo, and when he returned to Pleasant Valley they were married.
He then finished high school and cut logs for sawmills in the area, before attending college in Flagstaff on the GI Bill to become a teacher.
He returned to Young and taught school for three years, and then moved to Globe and taught for 27 more years before retiring.
Many former students remember various science experiments and giving the weather report on the radio.
He also worked for the U.S. Forest Service during the summer months for 27 years.
After retirement, he traveled to Australia, Hawaii and drove his motorhome all across the country from Alaska to the East Coast.
There were many, many joyful evenings spent around a campfire with family and friends in the White Mountains and Quartzsite, but most of all he relished spending his golden years in his beloved Pleasant Valle. His friends and family remember fondly his love for the area and the many stories he shared of its history.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Laura June; brother, Gene Seeley; sister, Lorena Brewer; son-in-law Nelson Daou, and great-granddaughter Maya Hodson.
He is survived by his three children, Beverly Daou, Johnnie Seeley (Cathie) and Debbie Haverland (Lance); as well as his nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.
He will be greatly missed by his loving family and dear friends.
Visitation was on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 10 a.m., at Lamont Mortuary Chapel in Globe.
Funeral services followed at 11 a.m., at Lamont Mortuary Chapel in Globe.
Interment will be in Mountain Breeze Memorial Gardens in Miami.
