Denney Martin Seamster, 101

Denney Martin Seamster, 101, died peacefully on Oct. 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; stepfather Peter D. Hawkins and brother Glen A. Seamster.

Born on June 16, 1915, in Springfield, Mo., 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 20 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, Ind., and finally retiring in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1961. He then worked as a data systems specialist at J.C. Penney 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 and Wanda (Mark) Seamster; 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.

English Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Denney’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.