John Seelye Obituary

Seelye
John "Chuck" Charles
Seelye
September 16, 1928
May 2, 2022

It is with tremendous sadness that the family says farewell to Chuck, who died May 2, 2022, after 57 years as a resident of Manitou Springs:
Born September 16, 1928, in Pueblo, Colorado, Chuck led an accomplished life, underpinned by great love for his spouse, his children and their families, his country's heritage of freedom and for Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.
A child of the Depression and of World War II, he nevertheless made the most of his life in Pueblo, a town that he loved and of which he spoke often during his final days. His childhood summers in the 1930's were spent on his uncle's ranch in Westcliffe. In 8th grade at Park Hill Junior High in Pueblo, he and friends built model airplanes for the Navy to be used in helping identify German and Japanese warplanes. From that work, a lifelong interest in model airplanes ensued. His work ethic was firmly established in 9th grade at Centennial High School by delivering 212 Star Journals in the afternoon and 65 Chieftains in the morning before school. In 1944, he went to work at the Army's Pueblo Ordinance Depot, unloading 100 lb. and 500 lb. bombs. The war ended, but not his desire to join the U.S. Navy which he did prior to the end of 1946 at age 18, making him officially a WW II veteran, a fact he rarely mentioned, having not seen combat action.
Following two years in the Navy, stationed in San Diego, Whidbey Island and Jacksonville, he returned to Pueblo and enrolled in Pueblo Junior College, meeting along the way Joanne Miller who graduated from that other high school, Pueblo Central. Chuck proudly joined Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Co. as an agent, a move that began a financial career that continued until he let his license lapse at age 86 – about time! Chuck and Joanne were married in 1951 at Trinity Lutheran Church and thus was begun a large and loving family which now includes ten of their great-grandchildren.
Chuck and Joanne started their married life together in Pueblo, where they had two children, Mark and Janice. Their years in the later 1950's, however, were marred by medical issues with Chuck's left leg, issues which remained undiagnosed until a visit to a specialist in Montreal during an insurance convention, a diagnosis which resulted in amputation above the knee of his left leg shortly thereafter, in 1962. The family was now living in Colorado Springs, Chuck having been promoted to a manager, and two weeks after the surgery he was back teaching Sunday School at Immanuel Lutheran, an act so courageous that the pastor wrote the congregation that he would have difficulty accepting any excuses for not volunteering, short of losing a leg.
For the next sixty years, he lived with the loss of that leg, refusing to inhibit his activities in any way. He and Joanne traveled the USA and the world with his favorite trip of all taking them to China. They loved Broadway musicals having had season tickets at the Buell for years and took in others in L.A., Chicago, New York and London. They especially enjoyed Ports-of-Call Travel which originated tours out of Denver's Stapleton Airport in those vintage Boeing 707's.
Chuck never slowed his work pace and achieved many sales awards; in addition, he was a Chartered Life Underwriter, a Chartered Financial Consultant and a Registered Representative. He trained agents and befriended many as well as his clients. He assumed leadership roles in many organizations such as Toastmasters, the Pueblo Junior Chamber of Commerce, GAMA, Life Underwriters, Estate Planning Council and the Lutheran Church. He was a voracious reader of theology and history and spoke to countless groups on the topics of libertarian thought, individual liberty and the insidious nature of socialism and communism. Who knows how many letters to editors he wrote? With his good friend, Polly King Ruhtenberg, they spread the word about the Liberty Amendment, the repeal of the federal individual income tax. No battle was too formidable to take on. Chuck was also president of the American Cancer Society here in Colorado Springs and corresponded with new amputees to offer encouragement and hope. And one more thing: he led the fight in the 1960's against "Urban Renewal" in Pueblo and was instrumental in saving much of what is now the Union Avenue Historical District.
You get the idea: Chuck was a remarkable man about whom much more could be written. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Joanne; his son Mark (Susan); daughter Janice Penman; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Hillis Seelye; grandchildren, Jocelyn (Nick), Trevor (Liz), Natalie (Matt) and Nicole (Chris). Chuck and Joanne's great-grandchildren are Sterling, Hunter, Grayson, Caroline, Isabelle, Anna, Sybil, Pierce, Evie and Laney Jo. Chuck was pre-deceased by sister, Diane Seelye Johnson; brother-in-law, Leonard Johnson; son-in-law, Sterling Allen Penman, and many close friends.
A private service is being held for the family; memorial contributions may be made to the Woodland Park (Youth) Hockey Association (two great-grandkids), c/o Janice Penman PO Box 785 Cascade, CO 80809