Philip Allen Eugene Seymour “Al”, age 63, passed away June 15, 2020 in Olympia, Washington. He was born December 15, 1956 in Frankfurt, Germany in a U.S. Military hospital to William and Donna Lynn Seymour. He married his “Angel” Nancy Seymour on March 31, 1979 settling in Olympia Washington, where they recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary.
Al attended catholic schools in Germany where he graduated high school when he was 17 years old. He also attained the coveted rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. As a young boy he delivered papers, developing a strong sense of work ethic. Al loved to write poetry, collect coins, collect GI Joes and play card games.
Al enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1974, at 17 years old, as a Cook and later reclassified as an Infantryman. He served at several posts, including Germany, and ended up in Ft. Lewis Washington where he was selected as a member of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, where he earned his expert infantry badge. Al ended his active service and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves where he served a majority of his 40-plus years of service as a Drill Sergeant/Instructor. Al’s goal was to become a Sergeant Major just like his father; he reached the rank of First Sergeant.
Al attended Centralia College where he earned his Associates degree and distinguished himself with elite-level grades. Then he transferred to The Evergreen State College where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
Al entered the State workforce serving the people of Washington for nearly 30 years at several different agencies to include: Department of Licensing, Department of Corrections, Washington State Patrol, County Road Administration Board, and Community Trade and Economic Development. Al was a proud member of the Association of Government Accountants, serving as treasurer, and certified as a Certified Government Financial Manager. After nearly 30 years of service to the citizens of the State of Washington he retired from State service in 2013.
In 2006 - 2007 Al was called to active military service to defend our nation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). He served in multiple posts to include Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq. Al was again called to active service in 2009 - 2010 in support of OEF/OIF. He returned home in 2010 and continued service in the U.S. Army Reserves. In 2015 after 40 plus years of committed service to our Nation, he retired from the United States Army honorably as an E-8 Master Sergeant!
Al was a wealth of knowledge and sharp as a tack, he loved to talk of his family, experiences, and history--especially military history. He was very proud of all of his family and friends’ accomplishments, boasting of them often. Al was very energetic and enthusiastic when talking about something he was passionate about and unapologetically himself.
Al was a first born Seymour son and patriarch to his own legacy. He is survived by his wife of 41 years Nancy Seymour; his children Christopher, Angela, and Jesse; his four grandchildren Tyson, Samuel, James, and Kane; his loyal canine companion Lilly; a brother, William Tracy Seymour, as well as a large extended Seymour and Yandle family, and friends who knew him as family. Al was preceded in death by his parents, William and Donna Lynn Seymour, and brother Lindsey, all of whom he loved.
Al was diagnosed and beat cancer twice, surpassing many doctors’ expectations, and was a fighter to the end. He was cancer-free the day he died. Al was loved and well respected by those who knew him and will be a missed piece of our family.
Please join us in celebrating his life on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. for a gravesite service at Mills and Mills Funeral Home at 5725 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater, WA 98512. A reception will follow at his home.
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