James C. (Pete) Selman

James “Pete” Charles Selman passed away Friday, May 17, 2013, in Pflugerville, Texas at the age of 86. Pete was the son of Charles Marion Selman and Maggie Lee Atchison, born on August 26, 1926 in Navarro County, Texas. He graduated with a class of 31 students from Kerens High School in May 1944 having already enlisted in the Texas State Guard in February 1942 at the age of 16. Pete immediately joined the United States Navy in August 1944 and proudly served his country for 2 years in the South Pacific on the U.S.S. Murray, a Fletcher Class Destroyer. Pete was a member of the “Tin Can Sailors” and proudly displayed his service history.

Having been honorably discharged, Pete pursued a career in the “pinball” and “jukebox” industry where he met his wife of 47 years, Virginia Dare Freeman in Longview, Texas. They were married in the Chalk Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Rusk County, Texas. Pete was employed by Reliable Music Company in Longview, Texas for more than 50 years. Pete and Virginia proudly raised three boys together and took great enjoyment in watching their grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow over the years. They enjoyed many trips together while working on Virginia’s family genealogy. After the love of his life became ill in 1992, they moved to Pflugerville, Texas where Pete devoutly stayed by her side until her passing in 1996. Pete’s devotion to his wife, family and friends was as great as any person could hope to achieve. Although he struggled with health issues for many years, he never complained. Having grown up on the family farm, he learned to deal with very little and to know true hardship; he was always very appreciative with whatever God blessed him and felt very blessed, even in his final days.

Pete truly enjoyed watching baseball from his recliner where one could often find him napping. His grandchildren lovingly knew him as “Pop” and he took great happiness in taking them to the shop to play pinball and video games. He also loved cooking them hotcakes for breakfast. Pete was a huge dog lover and always got great pleasure from taking his friend for a ride in his truck. Pete’s tremendous heart and caring for others did not stop with family. He was always willing to help anyone who needed help. During his final years, Pete started a fund for a Veterans Memorial in downtown Kerens, Texas to honor all of the Veterans who came from Kerens. This was done in association with the Kerens Ex-Student Association.

Pete is survived by his sister, Alberta Binns and husband Arnold of Farmers Branch, Texas; his sons, Danny Selman and wife Linda of Spring Branch, Texas, Dale Selman and wife Nancy of Longview, Texas, and Dwain Selman and wife Jan of Pflugerville, Texas; grandchildren, James Selman, Stephen Selman, Kenneth Selman, Robin Hampton, Melinda Caskey, Andy Selman, Gena Weissinger, Nancy Ruth Wilson, David Barton, and Carol Wolfe; many great-grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Sadie.

A visitation will be held in Pflugerville, Texas at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home from 7pm-9pm on Monday, May 20, 2013. A second visitation will be held in Longview, Texas at Welch Funeral Home on Thursday, May 23, 2013 from 6pm-8pm. The funeral service will be held on Friday, May 24, 2013 in the chapel of Welch Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Stewart Community Cemetery in Rusk County, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans Memorial in care of KESA at P.O. Box 5, Kerens, Texas 75144.

To share memories with the Selman family please visit Pete’s memorial website at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.