Denney Seamster

Denney Martin Seamster, age 101, died peacefully on October 19, 2016. He was welcomed into heaven by his wife of more than 70 years, Merle Estelee Crowell Seamster, who preceded him in death in 2012. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Amy E. Hawkins and Albert S. Seamster, step-father Peter D. Hawkins, and brother Glen A. Seamster.

Born on June 16, 1915 in Springfield, Missouri, Denney grew up in Arkansas and Wyoming. In his teens, he worked at Calico Rock CC Camp, and later traveled to California. He joined the U.S. Army in 1941 in Washington D.C. and served for more than twenty years as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. The family was fortunate to follow Denney on his military assignments to Heidelberg, Germany, San Antonio, Texas, Indianapolis, Indiana, and finally retiring in Stuttgart, Germany in 1961. He then worked as a data systems specialist at JCPenney until age 60.

When Denney and Merle retired in 1975, they moved to Dalton Gardens, Idaho, where they hunted, fished, gardened, and entertained family and friends. Denney hunted until he was 87, fished from his own boat until age 92, rode his lawn tractor until age 99, and drove his car until age 100. He served on Dalton Gardens Water Board for many years and was active in the NRA, veteran’s groups, and conservation efforts. Denney and Merle were members of the United Community Methodist Church.

Denney is survived by his daughters, Patricia (Richard) Pierce, Linda Pickenpaugh, Wanda (Mark) Seamster and son, Kenneth D Seamster; grandchildren Dana Pierce, Denney (Caryn) Pierce, and D’Arcy (Dana) Pierce; four great grandchildren, one great-great grandson, and family friends, John and Arlys Brown.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dawn and her staff at Hayden Country Guest Home for their loving care during Denney’s last months. The family rejoices in the long, wonderfully rich life Denney lived and in the reunion with Merle.

Services for both Denney and Merle will be held in 2017 in Wolfe City, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests tributes to your favorite charity.