Ivan Seaberg, 98, of China, Texas died Thursday, January 18, 2007, at Harbour Hospice in Beaumont, Texas, after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, January 21, 2007 at First United Methodist Church, Beaumont, with private burial at Magnolia Park Cemetery in Dayton, Texas, under the direction of Broussard, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of friends and family will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p. m. on Saturday, January 20, 2007 at the funeral home on Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas. Pallbearers will be grandson, Eric Seaberg, nephews: Roy Seaberg, Curtis Seaberg, Robert Seaberg, Michael Laidacker and Richard Mackan.
Ivan was born on November 22, 1908, in Houston, Texas. He was the oldest son of Swedish immigrant parents Charles Frederick Seaberg and Sophia Johnson Seaberg who were pioneer rice farmers in Dayton, Texas. He had two brothers, Herbert “Dutch” Seaberg and Roy Seaberg; and one sister, Dorothy.
Ivan was a graduate of Dayton High School and graduated in 1931 from Texas A&M College with a degree in electrical engineering. In 1933, Ivan married Blanch Loraine Laidacker of China, Texas. They had three sons, Charles, John and Ladd; and one daughter, Charlotte. Ivan worked for Sun Oil Company for thirty-six years in the geophysical department. During World War II, Ivan proudly served his country in the Pacific theater as a Company Commander with the 25th Infantry Division at Guadalcanal.
During his professional career, Ivan was a member of the Institute of Radio Engineers. At one time he was Sunday School Superintendent at the First Methodist Church in China, Texas. He also served on the board of Hardin-Jefferson School District. Ivan held an avid interest in politics and sports, particularly A&M football. He loved to garden and spend time with his family and friends. At the time of his death he was a member of First United Methodist Church of Beaumont.
Ivan was preceded in death by his parents; his sister; brothers; and one son, Charles. Survivors include his sister-in-law, Juanita Seaberg of Dayton; son, John Seaberg and his wife Faye of China; son, Ladd Seaberg and his wife Karen of Atchison, Kansas; daughter, Charlotte Seaberg of Beaumont; daughter-in-law, Sarah Seaberg of Austin, five grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Anna Bell Wilson who was Ivan’s care-giver for sixteen years. She was assisted by Bobbie Edwards and Dorothy Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church of Beaumont, 701 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or to charity of the donor’s choice.
