James Seaver

An amazing man completed his journey and passed through the veil on June 14, 2015, surrounded by his sweetheart of 64 years and lots of family. James Vernon Seaver, the youngest of five children, was born, in Webb, AZ in 1934. At the age of 17, he married cute little 16-year old Betty Loyce Burton. They both joked how they married young and raised each other into perfect spouses. They truly became one. Dad had a tender heart. He was always hugging and kissing Mom, and saying, "Have I told you kids lately how much I love your mom?" In his final days, he reminded his family to care for his sweet Betty when he was gone. He had many jobs throughout his life, and he was good at all of them. He loved learning how and why things worked. He spent many years in Etna, California as a dairyman, rancher and farmer, while he and Betty raised their six children. For the last 27 years, he lived in Utah. He had many jobs and hobbies including welder, electrician, organist, airplane pilot, ham radio operator (K6GZV), and Dairy Customer Service Representative at DHI Computing Service. Vernon held numerous callings within the LDS church, most notably 15 years in the bishopric and many years as a stake high councilor, spreading his love, humor and faith throughout the Stake. He also loved and served his neighbors. He frequently brought home extra people for dinner, and Betty happily fed them. Dad had a legendary sense of humor. Even in some of his last moments, he told jokes and made us laugh. Some of his most memorable sayings were, "It'll feel better when it quits hurtin'." "Will this affect your eternal salvation?" and "Betty, what do I want to wear today?" He taught his family the value of working hard, loving deeply, and living faithfully. His love for his sweetheart and his faith in the Savior Jesus Christ were both solid as a rock, and those principles of devotion to family and faith shaped the generations that follow him. When he realized he would soon leave this life, he gave us good words to live by when he said, "I don't owe anybody anything, and I don't have anything to repent of." Though our hearts are aching, we are also full of joy at having known and loved our husband, dad, and grandpa. Vernon is survived by his beloved wife, Betty Loyce Seaver, and his six children: Orland (Meredith), Candace (Jim) Ivie, Lar (Mary), Shari (Ben) LaFleur, Carl (Karry), and Rebecca (Kevin) Chase, 31 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, parents-in-law, and a granddaughter. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 19 at 11:00 am at the Lehi East Stake Center, corner of 900 N and 1200 East, Lehi, UT. Viewings will be Thursday night 6-8 pm at Sundberg Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem, UT and Friday morning 10-10:45 am at the church. Burial will be in Orem City Cemetery.

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