Jacob "Jake" Wilbur Seale

June 12, 1922 - November 5, 2014

Jacob Wilbur Seale, 92, of DeRidder, Louisiana, was called home to Heaven on November 5, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.

Jake was born to Perry and Ollie Seale on June 12, 1922.  Jake's family was a pioneer family in Beauregard Parish.  A logging settlement named Seale, now marked by a sign on Highway 27, was founded between Singer and DeQuincy.  Jake's maternal grandfather, Nathan Jones, was a former mayor of DeRidder and Jake was proud to take his great grandchildren to see his grandfather's photo displayed in DeRidder City Hall.

Jake graduated from DeRidder High School where he was the quarterback of the football team and then attended Louisiana Tech.  After World War II began, jake left college to enlist in the Navy.  During world War II, Jake served aboard the USS Terror, a mother ship mine layer that saw action throughout the Pacific to include the Marshall Islands, Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal and Guam.  The USS Terror was the first ship to enter Japan's waters after the atomic bomb.  Jake served in the Navy from 1942-1945.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jake returned home to Louisiana and enrolled at LSU.  During visits home to DeRidder, he met and married the love of his life, Mary Katherine Iles of Dry Creek, LA.  They were married 65 years until Mary's death in 2012.  In 1950, after graduating from LSU with a degree in forestry, Jake returned to DeRidder to work for Crosby Chemical Company and later as Right of Way Manager for Beauregard Electric Cooperative.  Jake purchased all of the right of way land necessary for installing new electrical lines form Moss Bluff to Leesville and in doing so, made many new friends.

Jake was also very active in the community serving as President of the Kiwanis Club, DHS Band Boosters, and the Campfire Girls Council.  A founding member of the Beauregard Country Club, he was instrumental in building the golf course.  Jake and a group of friends held an "executive board meeting" every weekday at 1pm on the 1st tee for many years.  Jake loved coaching Little League Baseball even though he had no sons, only daughters and many still call him "Coach".  Recognizing a need, he and several colleagues built the first baseball diamond in DeRidder where the current ones now stand at West Park.  A lifelong loyal LSU fan, Jake fervently rooted for his Tigers and "coached" them from his easy chair in front of the television.  Caring for others, he volunteered at God's Food Box and for the First Baptist Church Missions Packing Teams well into his 90's.

Jake was a man's man--strong with a firm handshake and a ready smile.  Not only an avid golfer, Jake was an avid hunter who loved the sound of a duck call, the crack of a shotgun, and the taste of the gumbo made from the day's harvest.  He took great joy in beating everyone at dominoes and Rook.  He kept an immaculate lawn and a roaring fire in his fireplace no matter the temperature.  A man with natural rhythm, he loved to dance and was still dancing with the girls at the beauty shop every Wednesday morning until he died.  Jake lived life with gusto, proudly adored his family, and faithfully served God.  He was the longest serving member of First Baptist Church of Deridder.

Jake was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary, his parents, Perry & Ollie Seale, his brother, Brent Seale, and his two sisters, Margueritte Smith and Jeanne Crownover. Those left to cherish his memory are daughters, Jan Benson and husband COL (R) Bob of Coudersport, PA and Kay Roper and husband COL (R) Everette of Enterprise, AL.  Grandchildren are Rana Holcek (LTC Rob), Fr. Wainwright AK; Karyn Shelnutt (MAJ Jeff), Ft. Benning, GA; MAJ Jake Roper (Jamie), Ft. Riley, KS; Tara McLamore (Shane), DeRidder, LA; MAJ (Dr.) Rhet Langley, Eglin Air Force Base, FL; and Lana Benson, TCU, Ft. Worth, TX.  Great grandchildren are Kaki and Kaylie Holcek; Nadine, Jackson, and Saydie Kay Shelnutt; Clay and Nathan Roper; and Carter, Cruz, and Cane McLamore.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church of Deridder on November 8, 2014 at 3pm with Rev. Lindsey Burns officiating.  Visitation will begin prior to the service at FBC at 1pm.  Burial will follow at Beauregard Cemetery under the direction of Myers-Colonial Funeral Home. Jake's family wishes to thank Dr. Chris Granger, Dr. Henry Carter and the staff at Beauregard Memorial Hospital for their wonderful loving care and especially for their friendship. Memorial contributions may be made in Jake's name to the DeRidder First Baptist Church Building Fund and to God's Food Box.