He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence E. Seay and Mary Constable Seay Reaves and two sisters Sandra and brother-in-law Glenn Clowers and Nancy Wheatley.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years Peggy Dawson Seay, Sister Lydia Dye (Chuck), 2 daughters Teresa Orr (Milton), Deborah Moore (Kenny), 3 grandchildren Ryan Berryhill (Ivy), Sarah Orr, Dawson Berryhill, (Carrie), a step granddaughter LeAnn Johnson (Brandon), 2 great grandchildren Chloe Berryhill and Cohen Berryhill and two step great grandchildren Brock and Brennan Johnson, several special nieces, nephews and cousins and a special cousin Anna Frances Moose.
Tommy joined the armed forces at an early age and served a short stint in the Marine Corps in 1953 before enlisting in the US Air Force where he remained until retirement in 1978. During this time, he served in Germany, Bermuda, Thailand, as well as many locations in the United States. He attained the rank of Chief Master Sargent and was a certified Marine Sharpshooter. He was awarded several commendations for meritorious service, and received the Bronze Star for service. Tommy was honored with a Quilt of Valor for his service. He was very active in the communities where he was stationed. He was a member of the National Ruritan, as well as the Shriners and the Montana Masons where he delighted young people with his antics as a clown in many of the Shriner activities. He was also an avid golfer and bowler and once bowled a perfect 300 game. He was always very involved in youth activities and spent countless hours helping youth achieve their dreams.
Upon retirement, he came back home to the Glenwood community where he spent the rest of his life as a farmer, Angus Cattle breeder, and community activist. When he arrived in Glenwood, he gave away his golf clubs and bowling ball and focused solely on developing cattle for other breeders that have been sold all over the Eastern United States. He was active in the formation of the Greene County Angus Association, a board member of the East Tennessee Angus Association, a member of the Tennessee Angus Association and the Greene County Livestock Association. He was named the Producer of the Year by the Greene County Livestock Association for his excellence as a breeder of quality cattle as well as a distinguished service award from the Greene County Angus Association. He was also active in renovating the show facilities at the Greene County Fairgrounds and served as a board member for a period of time.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Greene County Angus Association. Active pallbearers are Edward Seay, Chris Smith, Craig Smith, Steve King, Randy Jarrett, and Elmer Seay. Special thanks goes to the Nurses and Doctors of Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice.
Receiving of friends will be at 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday June 19th at Kiser Rose Hill Funeral Home. The funeral will be in the Kiser Rose Hill Chapel at 4 p.m. on Sunday June 19th with graveside services at 10 a.m. in Hartman’s Chapel cemetery on Monday June 20th. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral at 9 am to go in procession to the cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hartman’s Chapel Cemetery Fund.
Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiserrosehillfuneralhome.com.
Kiser Rose Hill Funeral Home
125 Idletime Drive, Greeneville, TN, 37743
423-636-8007
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