Earl Charles Seelye Jr.
Feb. 3, 1944-Aug. 13, 2009
Earl Charles Seelye Jr., age 65, of Deer River, died on August 13, while swimming at Lake Winnibigoshish north of Bena.
He was born on February 3, 1944, in Deer River, MN, the son of Earl and Clarice Seelye. Earl, also known as “Bro” to family & friends, spent his early years in Bena, MN, Yampa, Colorado, and Cass Lake, MN, where he graduated from high school in 1962. Following high school, he attended Minneapolis School of Business and graduated with an associate degree in Business Administration. He later attended Bemidji State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Earl served in the U.S. Air Force from 1965 to 1969, achieving the rank of sergeant. He served in Viet Nam during the Tet Offensive – receiving several medals including the Viet Nam Service Medal.
While he was stationed at Maine, he met & married Pamela Charmane Lambing in Portland, ME, on June 30, 1967. They later had a son, Craig Walter Seelye.
Following his military service, Earl worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. and for the BIA’s Minnesota Agency in Cass Lake as a Contracting Officer. He also served as Deputy Director for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
Earl’s entrepreneurial spirit of independence, individuality and risk taker led him into business adventures of starting up and operating his own businesses. He settled in Deer River and was a successful owner and operator of the S&S Bottle Shop, apartment buildings and planning for the next business opportunity.
Earl will be best remembered as one who loved a spirited political or social conversation, who loved to tease, was a great practical joker and enjoyed much laughter.
Earl enjoyed hunting and sports. He also enjoyed gourmet cooking with friends at his home. He was a member of Leech Lake American Legion Post 2001. He dearly loved his son and grandchildren.
He is survived by his son Craig (Cathy) and grandchildren Kayla, Charmane & Ty, of Deer River. He is also survived by his mother Clarice and his brother Lenny of Deer River; sister, Sandra Sleigh of Texas; niece and nephews; special friend & partner Deb Murphy; and his “boys”, Bailey & Sparky. He was preceded in death by his father, brother Terry Seelye and grandparents. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Monday, August 17, and will continue until funeral services at 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 18 at the Bena Community Center with Pastor Torger Johnson officiating. Burial will immediately follow the service at the Lakeview Cemetery, Bena. Full military honors will be provided by the Leech Lake Reservation Honor Guard.
Published in The Bemidji Pioneer, August 15, 2009
[Great-great-great-grandson of SGS # 2307 & 2308 – Earl Charles Jr.; Earl Charles; Walter Dunham; Charles E.; Stuart m. to Evelina Maria (daughter of #2308); Henry (# 2307); Stuart (#833); Justus William; Joseph; John; Benjamin; Nathaniel, Robert]
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