Raymond C. Seely, age 77 of Fort Gratiot died March 3, 2009. He is survived by his children, Nancy Jackson, Laura Bade, Karen Seely, and Mary Seely. Visitation Thursday 6-8 and Friday 2-8 PM at the Smith Family Funeral Home - North, 1525 Hancock Street. Memorial Saturday 11:30 AM at the Port Huron Yacht Club
Published in the Times Herald (Port Huron, MI) - March 4, 2009
Raymond Carl Seely - Raymond Carl Seely died unexpectedly on March 3, 2009. He passed peacefully, pain free, with integrity and surrounded by his loving family. Ray was born on May 2, 1931 in Port Huron, to the late Gilbert and Ruth Seely. He was the youngest of five children. He attended the Port Huron Area Schools, Port Huron Junior College, and obtained a Teaching Degree and a Master's Degree in Counseling at Western Michigan University. He taught and worked as a counselor in the Port Huron Area School District for 28 years before retiring in 1993 from Central Intermediate School. Ray was a champion for the children he counseled, and a kind and generous man to everyone he met. Some people will remember Ray as the Drivers Training Instructor who made sure you knew how to change a tire before you passed the course. He taught Drivers Education during the majority of his teaching / counseling career in Port Huron. He was recently nominated to be lifetime member of the Port Huron Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. #343. Prior to Ray's teaching career, he proudly worked for the Grand Trunk Railroad Co. He was a billing clerk in the freight sheds when it happened. Most call it a miracle. Doctors have never been able to explain it. He was typing when he heard his typewriter keys, heard birds singing and people walking. Ray had been deaf for more than 20 years, and all of a sudden, for no reason, his hearing came back to him. People who know Ray, describe him as the ultimate challenge to life's setbacks, and believe that his challenges made him the compassionate person that he was. The life stories of people like Ray Seely are what movies are made of and books are written about. Our Dad was a gifted athlete. His childhood dream was to play football for the Port Huron Big Reds. Making his dream come true, Ray was a wing back on the undefeated 1947 Port Huron High School State Championship football team. He was the first deaf quarterback in Michigan history who called his own plays, and one of the most gifted athletes ever to wear red and white for the Port Huron High School "Big Reds." He was a big part of what we are all proud of in our hometown. Ray Seely had the honor of being the first person to kick a football in Memorial Stadium back in 1948 at the first game ever played. Number 70 will live forever in the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame. Ray was dedicated to his physical fitness, and was a lifetime member at Birchwood Athletic Club. The Club was more than an exercise facility, it was a family to him. The relationships and friendships that were built along the way were a gift to him, and we were always eager to hear stories of the joy and laughter that was shared there. Ray loved the outdoors. He felt that life begins the day you start a garden. Not a year went by that he didn't plant a garden, and lovingly shared his harvest. He taught us to appreciate nature and respect the earth. We believe that Ray will be remembered for his perfectly manicured lawn and flawless landscape on Gratiot Ave. Some of Ray's happiest times were when he was out on the water, casting a rod. Fishing was something that he loved, and the time spent with his friends and family on those trips he held dear to his heart. Ray loved children and was a walking comic to everyone who crossed his path. He loved music and had a special talent with the Harmonica and the Accordion. Some of his fondest moments were when he was surround by family and friends, singing, and entertaining us with his music. "Just hum me a line," and he could play the whole song for you, by ear. Ray Seely loved animals, and suffered a broken heart when his little dog, "Buckle" was struck by a car and died early last December. Attempting to fill the void that he felt, his children surprised him with "Barney" whom he said was "the best dog on the North American Continent." "My little baby, bugger bulldog." Ray is survived by an exorbitant amount of friends. He shared with us the love that he felt from each and every one of you. Raymond built his family with Shirley Seely, which began in July of 1961. Ray and Shirley shared a marriage for 37 years. Ray was the very proud father of four daughters - "a minority in his own home!" Nancy Jackson, Laura Bade (Michael), Karen Seely and Mary Seely. He had a very special relationship with his seven grandchildren, who brought so much joy to him; Angela, McKenzie, Eddie, Olivia, Jake, Max, and Sommer. He will be greatly missed by these young hearts. "Uncle Ray" was lucky to enjoy a very special relationship with his "son" Brian Seely. The love and bond between these two men, was second to none. Ray is also survived by several nieces, nephews and longtime friends who love him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Ruth Seely, sisters Florence Henkle and Marie Firth and brothers William T. Seely and Gilbert (Bud) Seely, and son-in-law Edward Brothers III. Visitation will be held Thursday 6-8 p.m. and Friday 2-8 p.m. at Smith Family Funeral Home on Hancock Street in Port Huron. A memorial will be held Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Port Huron Yacht Club in Port Huron. Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed on www.smithfamilyfuneralhome.com Ray would want you to remember that: "This is no dress rehearsal," "Old age isn't for sissies" and "Life is brief and time is a thief." And lastly, "we do not remember days, we remember moments." Thank you for all of the moments, Dad. We miss you already and you will live on in all of our hearts forever.
Published in The Times Herald from 3/5 to 3/6/2009
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