John Michael "Mike" Seago

On Thursday, September 20, 2018, John Michael Seago passed away at the age of 74 after a brief but savage fight with dementia. Mike, the oldest son of H.W. "Bill" and Christine Loyless Seago, was born December 3, 1943, in Gilmer, Texas. He graduated from Lufkin High School in Lufkin, Texas, in 1962. He received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1966. Mike also received his MBA from Baylor University.
Mike and his wife of 52 years, Mary Helen Seago, were married June 19, 1966. Mike served in the United States Army from 1967 through 1970 primarily stationed in Japan. Upon their return to the states, Mike worked first for the Southland Paper Mill and then began his career with M&M Mars beginning in Waco, Texas. He helped build the Waco plant from the ground, and continued to work for Mars in varying capacities in Cleveland, Tennessee and Las Vegas, Nevada until his retirement in 1998. Mike was not content to only play golf in retirement; he taught a variety of classes at Lee University for 15 years. Mike also served The Caring Place as Chairman of the Board.
Mike and Mary Helen have two daughters, Kelly Seago Whatley (Jon) of Odem, Texas, and Karen Seago Hall (Mack) of Cleveland, Tennessee. His family was made complete with the addition of his four perfect grandchildren, Payne & Jackson Whatley and Rheagan & Tripp Hall.
Mike enjoyed nothing more than seeing the Texas Aggies win at any event, especially football. They have failed him by not winning the SEC football crown in his lifetime. He also loved traveling with Mary Helen, watching his grandkids do anything at all, and playing golf.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Bill & Christine Seago and his sister, Marilyn Seago Grossman. Mike is survived by his wife, Mary Helen; his daughters and their husbands, Jon & Kelly Whatley and Mack & Karen Hall; his four grandchildren, Payne, Rheagan, Jack, & Tripp; his brother, Robert Seago (Annette); along with several nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.
There will be a Committal Service at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga Monday, September 24, 2018, at 10:30 AM. Pall bearers are Dave Gregory, Dr. David Chaffin, Tim Rader, and Dr. Rodney Fitzgerald.The family will receive friends Monday, September 24, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Cleveland. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 6:00 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to The Caring Place in Cleveland, Tennessee, or the Pat Summitt Foundation (patsummitt.org).
You are invited to share a personal memory of Mike or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral and Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Seago family with these arrangements.