Chad Burke Seely
Personal
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: May 23, 1972
Date of Death: June 8, 2017
Birth Place: Richland, WA
Death Place: Yakima, WA
Chad Burke Seely
May 23, 1972 – June 8, 2017
Chad Burke Seely, 45, of Yakima, died suddenly on June 8th 2017.
Chad was a beloved son, husband, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle, teacher and friend. His life was full of love and service to others. His circle of influence was so very far-reaching, especially touching the lives of countless young people.
He was born on May 23rd in Richland, Washington, but spent his growing-up years in Yakima, Washington.
Chad was always an avid sports fan, played on numerous sports teams and later umpired for several years. He was a charter member of the Melody Lane Singers and was heavily involved in the Warehouse Theater Company throughout his life as an actor, director, board member and box office manager.
Chad graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1990 and then attended Ricks College-where he played trombone in the pep band- before serving as a Spanish-speaking missionary in the Denver Colorado Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Chad’s faith and testimony directed his every action and he never shied away from sharing it with others. Chad served diligently in numerous church callings throughout his life.
Following his mission, Chad returned to Ricks College to complete his associate degree. He then transferred to Brigham Young University where he graduated in December of 1996 with a degree in secondary education. He was a self-described diehard BYU Cougars fan his entire life. As a member of Cougar Pride, Chad was voted “Fan of the Year.”
Chad began teaching Spanish at American Fork High School in American Fork, Utah before graduating from BYU. In the 14 years he taught at American Fork, Chad not only taught Spanish, but served as girl’s softball coach, ASB adviser, athletic director and was the “Voice of the Cavemen”-the school’s sports announcer. Seely, as he was known to his students, was a beloved teacher and mentor.
Chad married his precious, eternal companion, Amy Gray, in the Manti LDS temple on August 20, 1998. Theirs is an incredible and blessed relationship, one of pure love and admiration for one-another. Their affections for one another were ever evident.
Chad obtained his master’s degree from Grand Canyon University in 2008, and shortly thereafter accepted a job with the Highland School District in Cowiche, Washington as Dean of Students. Three years later, Chad returned to the classroom where he taught Spanish until his death. While at Highland, Chad also served as athletic director and ASB Adviser.
Chad impacted countless lives and he will be sorely missed. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather and both paternal grandparents. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 18 years, Amy Gray Seely, parents, Bill and Pat Seely of Yakima, Sisters Tara (Jonathan)Hatch of Auburn, Washington and Erin (Spencer) Youngstrom of Harrison, New York, grandmother, Noreene Burke of Hollister, California, 9 nephews and 10 nieces, whom he adored, and countless friends from the theater, school and church communities.
Chad died doing what he loved-teaching young people. May we each endeavor to live as Chad did, loving, serving and spreading joy.
A viewing will be held on Monday, June 12th at Langevin-El Paraiso Funeral Home, 1010 W. Yakima, Ave. Yakima, Washington 98902. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm. A private family burial will take place Tuesday morning and a memorial service will be held at the Yakima LDS Stake Center, 705 S. 38th Ave. on June 13th at 4:00 p.m. The “Chad Seely Memory Fund” on gofundme.com has been set up in his honor to help cover funeral expenses.
Published online by the Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home
[Great-great- great-grandson of Justus Wellington SGS # 2337 – Chad Burke; Bill L.; Earl Lester; Earl Henning; John Henry; Justus Wellington (#2337); Justus Azel (#836); Justus William; Joseph; John; Benjamin; Nathaniel, Robert]
