John Seesing

John T. Seesing, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010.

He was born Oct. 17, 1920, in Leopold, Mo., to Henry George and Barbara Marie Hinkebein Seesing. He and Joyce Kirkland Seesing were married Nov. 15, 1947, in Waco, Texas.

Before serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a liaison pilot, and retiring after 20 years in the Missouri National Guard as a first lieutenant, he attended Southeast Missouri Teachers College then returned to Leopold to teach at the grade school.

He took great pride when remembering that soon after he started teaching he and Fr. Hutze were looking for ways to keep the children entertained and he suggested that they start playing volleyball as it was fairly inexpensive to set up. It worked.

J.T., as he was known, co-founded Cape Central Airways in 1950, becoming the sole owner of the company in 1971 and then selling the company in 1976. He then built his aviation insurance into a respectable book of business before retiring in 2002.

J.T. loved his family and his Lord. He was a leader in the community and a friend to everyone he came in contact with. Over the years many young people would come up to him at gatherings and talked with him about when they worked at the airport. It seemed as though every young man in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties had worked for him.

He had many life accomplishments such as founder/charter member of Missouri Pilots Club, founder/charter member of Cape Girardeau Pilots and Owners Association, and 55-plus years as a Rotarian along with being a Paul Harris Fellow. He started the radio broadcast of the 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's where he was a member 63 years. He was involved in Scouting and received the Silver Beaver Award. The greatest accomplishments, he would tell you, was his ever growing family.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Seesing of Cape Girardeau; four sons, Paul V. "Chip" (Debbie) Seesing of Cape Girardeau, David T. (Pat) Seesing of China Spring, Texas, Gary H. (Margaret) Seesing of Prairie Village, Kan., Mark J. (Elizabeth) Seesing of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Jean M. (Lester "Skip") Harris and Elizabeth A. "Betty" (Tim) Roth of Cape Girardeau; a brother-in-law, Tom Elfrink of Leopold; a sister-in-law, Jane Kirkland, Dallas, nine grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; six great-stepgrandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry George Seesing; mother, Barbara Seesing; two sisters, Wilma Elfrink and Katherine Elfrink; and brother-in-law, Albert Elfrink and Jack Kirkland.

Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m., with Knights of Columbus rosary to follow.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary Cathedral, with the Rev. Tom Keifer officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum, with full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Mary's School Foundation, or Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 1142, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.