Hugh Seely
Personal
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: April 12, 1912
Date of Death: April 14, 2004
Birth Place: Castledale, UT
Death Place: Craig, CO
Hugh Seely
1912-2004
On April 14, 2004, at the age of 92, Hugh Seely made the final leg of his earthly journey.
One of five children, Hugh was born on April 12, 1912 in Castledale, Utah, to David Randolph and Elva Singleton Seely.
Born into the life of a ranching family in southern Utah, he learned life’s lessons well. As life was primitive, Seely came to understand early in his life that one had to have great strength and heart to survive in the rugged Old West. As a boy, he had many experiences with his brothers and father in the desert of southern Utah. Thus began his journey to developing an uncommon wisdom, respect for others, and a great love of life.
He attended school in Castledale, Utah, graduating from high school in 1930. Seely obtained a degree in forestry in 1938 from Utah State Agricultural College. After working for the U.S. Forest Service for a short time, he joined his father in the family livestock business. The knowledge his father shared was simple: pick a good horse, work a full day, and respect the land.
On November 25, 1937, Seely married the love of his life, Margaret Cox. They were blessed with three children: Bruce, Kathleen and Patricia. Their marriage was solemnized for eternity in the Manti Temple on July 22, 1952.
In 1948, the Seely family moved from Vernal, Utah to the beloved ranch on the south fork of the Williams Fork. Seely purchased the ranch from his father 10 years later. Seely was a successful rancher and had a great passion for and knowledge of horses. He was known for his ability to pick a keen horse from a herd in seconds and knew by the look in the horse’s eye whether it had any buck.
Seely was past president of the Routt-Moffat Wool Growers and Colorado Wool Growers. In 1986, he was named Wool Grower of the Year by the state association. For many years, he was a member of the board of directors of the Rifle Production Credit Association. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings within the church.
Seely’s big heart, love for life, and most of all integrity, touched the lives of all who knew him. He showed us that some of life’s best meals were cheese and bologna cut with a pocketknife and served on the tailgate of a truck covered with sheep paint. That horses rein just as well with two pieces of quarter-inch rope as with expensive leather. That you can snowmobile just as well in Carhartt coveralls as with color coordinated suits with company logos. That lambs with broken legs heal much better with sticks and twine for a splint than space-age casting material. That not all real cowboys wear fancy boots — some wear lace-up work shoes. And that all great storytellers need not write books.
Hugh Seely lived 92 wonderful years and the hole his passing will leave in all our lives is immense; yet a part of him will live on forever in our hearts and memories. He embodied all that has made this country great. All of us are better today because of men like him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Margaret, a daughter Patricia, a sister, Sarah, and a brother, Preston.
Seely is survived by a son, Bruce (Ann) Seely; a daughter, Kathleen (Loyle) Brennise; grandchildren, Melinda Baessler, Mike (Nancy) Seely, Crayton (Wendy) Seely, Anita (Craig) Duke, Keith Brennise, Scott (Sheila) Brennise, Stacie (Doug) Towler; a brother, Lowry (Gwen) Seely; and a sister Marjorie Reeve. Seely’s great-grandchildren are Brennan and Derek Baessler; Ryder, Pryce, Walker, and Jace Seely; Spencer, Erynn and Jared Duke; Jordan, Logan, Kasen and Kinlie Brennise; and Jalin and Tiaree Towler.
Services were held at the LDS Church on April 17, 2004. Bruce Seely gave the family prayer and Keith Brennise said the opening prayer. Myrna Ence played the organ while Lori Romney sang two selections, “Beyond the Sunset” and “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Dr. Tom Told gave the eulogy. The speakers were Dale Haskins and Tracy Jeffs. Scott Brennise read a poem and Craig Duke gave the closing prayer.
Interment was held at the Craig Cemetery with dedication of the grave given by Mike Seely.
Pallbearers were Keith and Scott Brennise, Mike and Crayton Seely, Doug Towler and Craig Duke. Honorary pallbearers were all of Seely’s many friends.
Published in the Craig Daily Press (Craig, CO) on April 30, 2004
[Hugh is great-grandson of Justus Wellington SGS# 2337 – Hugh; David Randolph; Orange; Justus Wellington(# 2337); Justus Azel (#836); Justus William; Joseph; John; Benjamin; Nathaniel, Robert]
