John Whitney Seely
Personal
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: August 18, 1929
Date of Death: November 13, 2015
Birth Place: Cleveland, OH
Death Place: Phoenix, AZ
John Whitney Seely
John Whitney Seely passed away Nov. 13, 2015. He was born Aug. 18, 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up on his family’s farm in Newfield, N.Y.
During the Korean War, he served in the U. S. Navy on Guam. In 1956, he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ithaca College, then moved his family to Arizona. He became a Certified Public Accountant and founded the first accounting firm in Glendale, now known as Seely, Mullins, & Associates, where he continued to practice for 34 years.
Mr. Seely generously served his community in many capacities throughout his life. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Glendale Rotary Club, and the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, serving as president of the chamber in 1973.
In 1963, Mr. Seely and four Glendale friends founded the Out House Open Golf Tournament. He was the only person to play all of the first 49 years. He adored his family, friends, and the outdoors. He delighted in telling good jokes and stories.
As an avid gardener, he beautified many people’s homes and offices with his flowers and loved to share the citrus from his back yard. Iron Springs, Ariz. was one of his favorite places for 53 years, where he shared time with those close to him. Those who knew him will cherish the beautiful walking sticks he lovingly made from manzanita collected in the Prescott area.
He was known as a man who had a good head for business, strong integrity, and a fun sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Janet; daughters, Jan Hessler (Jack), Jeanne, and Judy; and sons, Scott (Deb), and Jamie (Debbie); eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Join the family to celebrate his life Nov. 27 with a visitation 10 a.m., service 11 a.m., and a reception immediately following at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City. Donations may be made in memory of John Seely to Huger Mercy Living Center at 2345 W. Orangewood Ave., Phx, where he was loved and supported during the last years of his life.
Published in The Glendale Star, (AZ) – Thursday, November 26, 2015
[Great-great-grandson of SGS # 2454 – John Whitney; Leslie Whitney; Orson B.; Charles Baker; Seymour Alvord (#2454); Zadock (#905); Zadoc; Justus; John; Benjamin; Nathaniel; Robert]
