John Theodore Seaman

     John (Jack) Seaman was born in Houghton, Michigan to Wyllys Arthur Seaman and Vera Williams Seaman March 11, 1919.  He graduated from Houghton High School in 1938.  He also attended Michigan Tech School of Mines in Houghton. In 1937 he was called up to the US Navy Reserves 1937-1941.  In 1944 he was drafted again. Jack got a special assignment in charge of inductees at an Oklahoma Air Base then spent the rest of the war as an Aviation Machinist Mate. After the Navy he worked for Seal Power in Muskegon, Michigan, Boeing in Seattle, Washington and Rohr Aircraft in Chula Vista, California until his retirement.

In 1940 married his first wife Ruth Marie Ferm of Marquette, Michigan.  They had 2 daughters, Katherine and Jean.  In 1967 Jack met and eventually married Phyllis Walter in 1982.  They were together for 55 years. Jack was beloved and an inspiration to many and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.  Jack's long lasting hobbies included photography, ballroom dancing, travel and playing the organ.  Over 50 years of ballroom dancing he and Phyllis have accumulated a number of trophies and ribbons from the years they competed.

The John and Phyllis Seaman Endowment for Curation of the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Tech will provide perpetual support for the museum curator.  A.E. Seaman was Jack's beloved grandfather.

Jack is survived by his wife Phyllis Walter Seaman, brother Arthur Seaman, daughter's Katherine Perez, Jean Anderson (Larry); 7 grandchildren-Craig Anderson, Tony Perez, David Anderson, Sandra Perez, Lisa Santelli, Jason Perez, Luke Perez; 6 great grandchildren-Andrew Santelli, Samuel Anderson, Bennett Anderson, Elinor Anderson, Aiden Santelli, Graham Anderson and 1 great great granddaughter Eliana Rose Santelli. Preceded in death brother Bill Seaman, sister Jeanne Seaman Farnum and brother in law Larry Farnum and step daughter Mary Walter Tafoya.

His daughter Katherine remembers her father as a gentleman.  He would always open the car door for her.  She remembers he had a unique sense of humor and seemed to enjoy laughing at even the little things. He enjoyed his cameras and taught her and also Jean a lot about photography. One Christmas he surprised Katherine with a large Christmas present.  When she opened it there were more boxes inside, one after another.  Eventually it got down to one small box which contained a camera.  What a surprise.  He had a great memory of the past and had many stories to tell.  He also seemed to love life and the outdoors too.  Jean remembers dad's sense of humor.  They had many fun adventures involving camping and hiking with the family.  Jean lived in Germany for several years and Jack enjoyed 3 visits during that time.  During his 90's Jack took Katherine and Jean on several cruises. 

There will be no public memorial service.  The family requests no flowers.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Tech, Houghton, Michigan.  https://museum.mtu.edu/support-us/giving

DMV Clerk: "I've never met anyone 104, what's your secret?

Jack: "A good wife."