Jimmy G. Sealy, 59, of Winnemucca, passed away Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012.
He was born Oct. 24, 1952, in Willows, Calif., to Elwin G. Sealy and June Broderson Sealy. Jim was raised in Woodland, Calif., and later Orland, Calif., where he attended school and graduated from Orland High School in 1970. After graduation, he spent the summer in Orland working and then attended Shasta College in Redding, Calif., for a short time. Jim ended up moving to Wells, Nevada, where he later joined the L.D.S. Church and served a two-year mission in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee. Upon returning home from his mission, he married Barbara Paskett in 1974 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
Jim spent a year in Salt Lake City, Utah, attending Utah Technical College for diesel mechanics and worked for Utah Transit Authority. He returned to Orland for one year and worked for his father at Elwin's (small engine) Repair Shop. He then joined the Air Force as a heavy lift helicopter mechanic (HH53C or "Jolly Green Giants") with the 11th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at McClellan Air Force Base in North Highlands (Sacramento), Calif.
Following his military service, Jim moved his family to Wells, Nevada, where he worked for Aztec GMC Truck and later for Nevada Department of Transportation in Wells and then Winnemucca. For the past 15 years, Jim has worked for Newmont Mining Corporation at their Twin Creeks Mine as a medium duty mechanic in the transportation shop. Jim was a member of their mine rescue team and a Wilderness EMT and EMT-Basic.
Jim enjoyed working with the youth and served 27 years as a Boy Scout/Cub Scout leader. He was awarded the Silver Beaver award through Nevada Area Council. He was also registered nearly 20 years as a Girl Scout leader, assisting Barbara with her troops and instructing first aid for troop leaders. He enjoyed hiking, camping, beekeeping, and art. Jim also volunteered with the American Red Cross as a community and wilderness first aid instructor. He was an avid bike rider and rode his bicycle from home to the mine parking lot 15 miles a day round trip in the rain, snow or sunshine.
Jim is survived by his wife Barbara of 37 years, son Jeff (Heather) Sealy of Winnemucca,
daughter Karen (Trevor) Woodcook of West Virginia, sons Kevin (Micah) Sealy of Kingman, Ariz., Roger (Mongo) Sealy of Lovelock, daughters Emily Sealy of Laurel, Md., Becky Sealy of Winnemucca, son Benjamin Sealy of Reno, Nevada, and 11 grandchildren: Alyssa, Kaitlyn, Brendan, and Justin Woodcook, Hailey, Damon, Logan, and Dustin Sealy, Mackenzie Sealy, Destinee and Austin Cone, his mother June Sealy, brother Gary (Wilda) Sealy, and sister Lenora (Jack) Griffiths, all of Orland, Calif., brother Mike Sealy of Chico, Calif., and brother Dale (Teresa) Sealy of Ely, Nevada, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, Elwin Sealy.
There will be a viewing at Albertson Funeral Home Wednesday, August 29, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A private family graveside service will be held Thursday, August 30. Everyone is invited to join the family the same day to celebrate and share memories of Jim's life at a luncheon at 1:00 p.m. at the Grass Valley L.D.S. Church, 1305 E. Mary Way, (behind Grass Valley Elementary School), Winnemucca. Those wishing to share memories with the family may do so at the memorial site for Jim at albertsonfuneralhome.com.
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