Chief M/Sgt. James Alva Seymour

Chief Msgt. James Alva Seymour, Sr., 83 years old of D'Iberville, MS, passed away Friday, November 18, 2011, at his home with his family by his side. Born April 30, 1928, he was the son of the late John and Millie Hosli Seymour. Chief Seymour is also preceded in death by two brothers, Milton Seymour and Edward Seymour, as well as a great grandchild, Landon Rodriguez. Chief Msgt. James Alva Seymour, Sr., entered active duty, into the U. S. Army on October 7, 1950 in Jackson, MS, assigned to a Heavy Tank Company in the 179th Infantry Regiment as a Track Vehicle Mechanic, where he served in the Korean Conflict. He remained with the Army until December 13, 1955, when he transitioned into the Air National Guard, assigned to the `73rd Air Base Squadron in Gulfport, MS. He remained with the Air National Guard until July 1, 1979 when he entered into active duty Air Force. Chief Seymour's illustrious military career spanned 37 years and 7 months, culminating in his appointment to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant on January 7, 1984, and retired from Federal Service on April 28, 1988. Some of Chief Seymour's more notable decorations include the National Defense Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Mississippi Medal of Efficiency. Chief Seymour graduated from Notre Dame High School in Biloxi, MS. He was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church D'Iberville, MS. He was also a member of the Lions Club. He enjoyed living on Back Bay in his family home in D'Iberville. His hobbies included shrimping on his boat, hunting and spending time with his family. Anyone that knew Chief Seymour knew that he had a golden heart and hard working hands. Above all, he was active in all of his kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren's activities. He made sure his family always had everythhing that they needed and his family always came first. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Betty June Tanner Seymour, and a sister, Rubylee Smith. Chief Seymour is also survived by his five children, Sandra (Billy) Orr, Alan (Darlene) Seymour, Christine (Donald) Cates, Scott (Sherri) Seymour, and James Alva Seymour, Jr.; thirteen grandchildren, Troy (Kristi) Taylor, Brian (Jalena) Taylor, Ashley Taylor, Justin (Erin) Cates, Salena (Phuong) Dang, Am ber (Jeff) Watkins, Kayla Cates, Clayton Seymour, Jerika Seymour, Kelli Seymour, Tammy (Randy) Rohrbacher, Julie Elderkin, and Billy Orr, Jr., as well as twelve great grandchildren, Alyssa, Peyton, and Laney Taylor, Ty Bostwick,Dalton Dang, Justin Orr, Michael and Taylor Rohrbacher, Joshua, Jared, Madsion Elderkin, and Jordan Orr. We would like to thank SADD Home Healthcare, Grace Healthcare, and Hospice Advantage for the compassion that they showed to the family during this time. Visitation will be Monday, November 21, 2011, from 6 pm until 8 pm, with a 7 pm Rosary at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Tuesday, November 22, 2011, there will be a 1 pm Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Mobile, 1626 Springhill Avenue, Mobile, AL 36604, or to the Mississippi Chapter American Parkinson Disease Association, P. O. Box 5943, Brandon, MS 39047.