Seeley


1931 - January 8, 2001

Sr. Instructor Jim Seeley was born in 1931 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He married his wife Ernestine in June, 1951 and had three children. Jim has worked mainly as a civilian for the U.S. Navy, and was widowed in April, 1988. Sr. Instructor Jim started martial arts training in 1968. He received his Black Belt with Cepeda Brothers in 1994. He would work out with Sifu Dan Cepeda in the daytime. Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning they would meet early for breakfast. This was followed by a workout until noon, teach a day class, and then go to local restaurants like D.Z. Akins for lunch. Last summer, Jim tested for and was awarded his 3rd Degree Black Belt. Jim will be fondly remembered as the studio historian; always dependable and diligent in his loyalty to the studio. To quote Sr. Instructor Jim, "The training is hard and sometimes painful, but if you hang in there, the rewards are worth it!" Jim will be missed by all...



By Sifu-Guro Dan Cepeda (2001)

Sr. Instructor Jim Seeley and I met while we were training with Master Brian Adams and Kenpo Karate in 1968. Being the two oldest students in class, we worked out together often and eventually became good friends. We dedicated ourselves to our training and ultimately tested for our brown belts. Sr. Instructor Jim left the studio soon after, and I later learned that he was training in long-distance running. I eventually lost contact and I didn’t hear or see from him for ten years until one day, he walked into my studio. He hadn’t changed much, and he looked in shape; and wanted to continue Martial Arts training. Sr. Instructor Jim Seeley dedicated himself to his Marital Arts and to the studio. He eventually tested for his Black Belt ranking becoming the oldest student to have achieved that goal. He was an inspiration to everyone in the studio, especially to the young students and to all our black belts. He was respected for his profound wisdom about life. He shared his experience with everyone about his countless marathon and ultra-marathon races running 50 to 100 grueling miles. He shared his thoughts about the Korean war and how he operated behind enemy lines. Sr. Instructor Jim was also health conscious. I recall times when he ate at D.Z. Akins, where we ordered chicken soup and he would only eat the noodles; where he’d eat his favorite turkey sandwich with nothing in it but two slices of rye bread. I remember Jim talking about his good friends since high school and how they stayed in touch after all those years. He was proud of his relationship with all his friends, and he loved them all. He often talked with affection about his lovely daughters and Donna and his son, Jim. His relationship with his grandsons, especially little Anthony, the youngest, who was going to train as soon as he can walk. Black Belt Sr. Instructor Jim Seeley, left an impact in the studio and to everyone that knew him. He had charisma and this uncanny ability to tell jokes and make everybody laugh. Sr. Instructor Jim will surely be missed...and he will always be in our memories.

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