Steven Ray Seal was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Bill and Lillian Seal. He grew up in a loving home with three sisters. I think bathroom time was at a premium and Steve always lost that one. Encouraged to participate in sports, baseball and football were two of his favorites. His dad coached him in many ways off the field as well as on and there remained a fierce competition between the two on the golf course. Steve needed to jokingly “beat the old man”. I’m not sure if that ever happened! Meals began with heads bowed in prayer and Sundays started with Mass and altar service. His mom was ever present to nurse his hurts, both of the body and heart. While he was small, you could find Steve in boots, hat, and holster trying to outdraw Matt Dillon on Gun Smoke or running around in his dish towel cape, with his cardboard sword slicing through the air shouting Zoro. Can’t you just picture it? And of all the shows on TV, Seahunt was his very favorite. Steve attended New Mexico State University and graduated as a mechanical engineer. Steve is a registered Professional Engineer with the State of Texas and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He has worked for Lonnie Arrington at Fabricon for over 25 years as an engineer and Vice-President. We have attended St. Jude’s Catholic Church since moving to Beaumont over 27 years ago and have tried to serve our community as we grew our family. Golf was his only passion outside his faith, family and career. He did love to hit the ball and miss the water!
This gives you the foundation of the man that Steve became and the man I fell in love with. I always said that Steve was my rock, so solid and …there, always there. When I think of Steve, his honor, integrity, faith, and devotion – each word so captivates his character, with faith in God always the controlling factor in our daily lives. I can’t tell you how many late nights on the road were spent traveling to and from hockey tournaments with Wade. Or how many hours he spent sanding on a1990 Ford Mustang with Brett. Or the hours he would share with me when I’d get one of my hair-brained projects. We spent many hours out on the shooting range with the boys making fun of the kickback that sent me staggering. Our camping trips were peaceful and fun, with nights spent around the campfire and smores, lots of smore nights. Now golf with the four of us was a different story. When the kids were younger it was more about driving the golf cart for fun and my frustration with a club and Steve’s patience with all of us. But later, it became hours of learning about life from their Dad. Steve’s work ethic was above reproach. He always tried to be fair and thoughtful. I know he was a Blessing to Lonnie and well as his family, church, and community. After attending his ACTS Retreat, he became even stronger than he already was. He served on the Building Commission for the Diocese, built the gym at St. Anthony’s, was a prayer partner at St. Jude’s as well as a Eucharistic Minister, and part of the ACTS team. Even before we had children, Steve and I became advisors for CYO – that’s over 30 years ago, and we still have connections to some of those kids, pardon me, adults. I really can’t begin to list all the things Steve created or participated in while we were blessed to be a part of his life, but far richer we are for it. We took care of my grandmother for seven years, and then my mother for eleven. During all that time, including his last two years of painful decline, Steve always put their needs before his own. My grandmother use to say over and over again how lucky I was and what a fine man Steve was. My brother, Bryon, referred to Steve as a hero for all the devotion to family, other people, and community. He’s right and those that Steve leaves behind will aptly remember him so.
We journey through this life but one time, and I’m proud to say that Steve made is count.
After Wade and Brett left home to start their futures, Steve and I were not lost. We started enjoying reading the Bible in the shade of the swing out back. Long walks with our dog, Sienna became a treasure. Dreaming about the life we still had ahead of us and the things we were going to take time to do. And long talks about our boys and how very proud we were of the men they have become. There are so very many wonderful memories that we have to cherish and the time to remember them together and walk through our memories with gratitude.
This would not be complete if I did not include the debt of gratitude I feel we owe our Church and ACTS Community. They have done more for us during this trying time than I can possibly say. We made some of our richest friendships in the process God laid out for us and we grew in spirit. It is not ours to question, but believe.
Steve met the Lord early Wednesday afternoon after having fought a courageous two year battle with cancer. He had such a strong will to live and showed me what determination meant, how to stay positive, and always filled with faith when things looked so dark and the pain so intense. Steve never complained, he just wasn’t that way. We prayed every night and learned to enjoy the simplest things. I see a smile on his face now. He has the freedom to walk the heavens, feel the sun on his face, and there’s no more pain, no…more…pain! And I bet the first thing he does after he humbly bows his head on bended knee to give thanks to the Lord is pick up a golf club! Have a great eternity Steve, you deserve it baby.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 29, 2008 at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas. A Christian Vigil will be 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2008 at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Odyssey Healthcare of Beaumont, 550 Fannin, Suite 1230, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.
