James "Jim" Edward Seale

Jim was born on June 7, 1942 in Birmingham, AL, to Maudine and Howard Seale. Jim was an active member of Riverchase United Methodist Church for 32 years, where he faithfully served as chairman of Board of Stewards, Bible Study teacher, usher, and on several church capital campaign committees.

He retired in 2002 from Bellsouth after 30 years, where he enthusiastically led sales and customer service teams across the southeastern U.S.

Throughout his life, he was passionate about serving God, family, and country, in that order.

Jim was a long time and passionate servant of his Savior Jesus Christ and dedicated his life to boldly sharing the Gospel. He committed 20 years to serving in Kairos Prison Ministry, faithfully creating Christian communities inside of prisons. He also taught financial planning classes to former inmates, helped them find jobs, and taught them necessary life skills. He was also active in the Emmaus Walk community and The Foundry Ministries.

As a husband, father and Granddaddy, his family was the recipient of unlimited praise and encouragement, cheers, words and actions of affirmation. He wanted nothing more than to experience the best of life with his wife, children and grandchildren, and would go to great lengths to be at any special event and celebrate alongside whatever was important to them. And if that included a good football game or wings from his legendary smoker, even better!

He served in the United States Army from 1964-1969, most notably as a decorated Captain in the 9th Infantry during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded two Bronze Stars and other commendations. He was also stationed in Heidelberg, Germany and several U.S. Army bases. Throughout his life, he proudly supported veterans’ groups, and attended many veterans’ events to honor those who sacrificed for our freedom, as he did so valiantly.

He was a graduate of Shades Valley High School, and graduated twice from the University of Alabama, with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 1964, and Master of Business Administration in 1970, following his tour overseas. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and was active in the alumni group in Birmingham. While an undergraduate, he met his lifelong partner and wife, Carol Hodge Seale. He was a lifelong enthusiastic Crimson Tide football fan, but when his grandsons played football for LSU, he proudly donned the purple and gold because, “blood is thicker than water.”

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol, daughters Tracy Seale (Kevin) Ferguson, and Dena Seale (Scott) Berte, five grandchildren, Reid (Erica) Ferguson, Blake Ferguson, Carolanne Berte, Sara Frances Berte, and Ellie Kate Berte, great-granddaughter Blakely Ferguson, brother Jerry (Sandra) Seale of Lynchburg, TN.

A memorial service in his honor will be held Monday, October 24 at 5:00 p.m. at Riverchase United Methodist Church main sanctuary (1953 Old Montgomery Hwy, Hoover AL), with visitation immediately preceding the service. A Military Honors Burial will take place on Tuesday, October 25 at 10:15 a.m. at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Kairos Prison Ministry International (www.kairosprisonministry.org) 100 DeBary Plantation Blvd., DeBary FL 32713.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Seale family.