James E Sea

Born June 26, 1945 in Pekin to Edgar Harrison and Ruth Clara (DeLonge) Sea, he married Vivian Ann Sims on July 1, 1967 in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are his mother of Arlington, Virginia; two daughters, Tonya L. (Klayton) Southwood of Bloomington and Denise A. (Trevor) Maneno of Pekin; three grandchildren, Chase A. Southwood, Ryan N. Southwood, and Kristyn E. Southwood, all of Bloomington; one brother, Rev. Glen Sea of Arlington, Virginia; and one sister, Myrna (Neville "Chuck") Harvilla of Green Valley.

His father preceded him in death on November 25, 1985.

A United States Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, he served from September 15, 1964 to August 14, 1967.

Jim worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 31 years, retiring in 1997 from maintenance at the East Peoria Proving Grounds. Following retirement, he worked for Parts Distribution Center in Pekin as a delivery driver for several years, last working in 2004.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Pekin, where he had been an AWANA leader, former Berean Sunday School Class member, and had been a volunteer groundskeeper at the church for several years. He also was a member of the River City Street Rods and the Disabled American Veterans.

He enjoyed fishing, restoring classic cars, and helping friends with their home and auto repairs. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. Jim was a wonderful Christian man whose sense of humor, care, and concern for the needs of others touched so many lives. He will not be soon forgotten.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 3, 2006at the First Baptist Church in Pekin. Pastor Mark D. Friday will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 2, 2006at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded by the United States Navy and Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

Memorial contributions maybe made to First Baptist Church, 700 South Capitol Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554 for missionaries Jack & Teresa Perrine and Dan & Lorraine Wilson.