Super Thrift Drug founder dies at 79
By Ken Dey
 Parma man was known for community involvement
PARMA Preston Seely, the founder of Super Thrift Drug stores and a former mayor of Parma, died at his home Wednesday.
Seely, 79, who graduated from Idaho State University in 1951, began his career as a pharmacist at Jenkins Drug in Parma, which was owned by his father-in-law Thomas Jenkins. In 1953, he bought the store and renamed it Seely Drug.
Eventually, Seely expanded his business and Super Thrift was born. At one time, Seely owned or was a partner in Super Thrift Stores in Nampa, Caldwell, Vale, Ore., and Parma.
Today, only the Parma store remains and is owned by Seelys daughter, Suzanne Seals, and her husband, Jim. Seelys wife, Katherine, said he was a driving force in the community.
He loved Parma, she said.
Seely served as Parma mayor from 1961-63. During his tenure, one of the biggest accomplishments was passage of a bond measure to build the citys first sewage treatment plant.
His many civic accomplishments included rallying the community to build a pool, helping secure Parmas first medical clinic and serving as an advocate for senior citizen housing.
Seelys other love was Parma High School athletics.
When he owned the drug store, he gave athletes free milkshakes and pizza when they won their games. But the treats came with a deal: If the teams lost, they had to sweep his stores parking lot, Katherine Seely said.
Seely was a Marine second lieutenant in World War II, serving in the Pacific. He married Katherine in 1946, and together they had three daughters, Suzanne, Carolyn and Jody. The couple also has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
As she reflected on her husbands life, Katherine Seely said it was good to remember all that he had accomplished. You realize how very, very much he did do, she said.
Published Idaho Press-Tribune on 3/8/2001
Seely gave much to his community
By Editorial Board
SUMMARY: Super Thrift founder Preston Seely will be missed in Canyon County and beyond.
Merchant, mayor, sports booster and beloved community leader: Parma resident Preston Seely was all that and more.
Seely, who died Wednesday at the age of 79, is fondly remembered for his business and civic accomplishments. He founded the Super Thrift Stores chain, which boasted stores in Nampa, Caldwell, Vale and Parma. The one remaining store, in Parma, is now owned by his daughter and son-in-law.
He loved his community and served as mayor of Parma in the early 1960s. Accomplishments included passage of a bond measure to build the citys first sewage treatment plant.
Seely also is credited with helping Parma gain a community pool and a medical clinic. He was an advocate for senior citizen housing and devoted fan of Parma High School athletics. He gave athletes free milkshakes and pizza when they won their games; they swept his stores parking lot when they lost.
With humor, business sense and a profound commitment to his community, Seely set a strong example of service and caring.
He will be missed. More importantly, he will be remembered.
Published Idaho Press-Tribune on 03/10/2001
Preston D. Seely
Preston D. Seely, 79, of Parma died Wednesday, March 7, 2001, at home of natural causes. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church, Parma, with Rev. David Kegley officiating. Burial will be at Parma Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell.
Preston was born Aug. 24, 1921, at Castle Dale, Utah, to David R. and Elva Singleton Seely. He was raised and educated at Castle Dale where he graduated from Castle Dale High with the Class of 1940. He then enrolled at Utah State where he completed his first two years of college. Preston took leave of his studies to serve his country during WWII as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. After his honorable discharge he continued his studies, graduating in 1947 with a degree in animal husbandry.
Preston married Katherine Jenkins on Dec. 27, 1946, at Sugar City, Idaho. He later completed Pharmacy School at Idaho State, graduating as alumni president in 1951. Then he and Katherine moved to Parma.
Preston established Seely Drug in 1953, later expanding his business and renaming it Super Thrift Drug, operating several locations throughout Treasure Valley. He received a Distinguished Community Pharmacist award in 1975 for the State of Idaho. He served as mayor of Parma from 1961 through 1963 and was a member of Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. He was also very active in the Parma community, serving first the Jaycees and later the Parma Lions Club, along with being a Parma Athletic Booster.
Preston was a strong and silent type of man, who always provided for his family. He was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather, who will be greatly missed by his family and a host of friends.
He is survived by his wife, Katherine; three daughters, Suzanne Seals and her husband, Jim, Carolyn Cramer and her husband, Mike and Jody Seely; six grandchildren, Jamie McElvenny, Jeff Seals, Seely Anderson, Brock Anderson, J.P. Cramer and Sam Cramer; a great-grandchild, Quinlin McElvenny; two brothers, Hugh Seely and Lowry Seely; a sister, Margie Reeve; numerous cousins, including Clay Crawford; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family has requested that memorials be made to the World War II Memorial Fund, American Battle Monuments Commission, ATTN: GR048, PO Box 96074, Washington, DC, 20090-6074.
Published Idaho Press-Tribune on 03/09/2001
[Preston David is great-grandson of Justus Wellington SGS # 2337 - Preston David; David Randolph; Orange; Justus Wellington (#2337); Justus Azel (#836); Justus William; Joseph; John; Benjamin; Nathaniel, Robert]
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