Lawrence Seyer

ORAN, Mo. -- Lawrence Louis "Lefty" Seyer, 93, of Oran passed away Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born May 20, 1928, to Philip J. and Alvina Dohogne Seyer. On Sept. 12, 1950, he married Ida Mae Glasscock at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran. In 2021 they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary.

Growing up in Caney, Missouri, Lawrence attended the Bleda Grade School in Caney and graduated from Oran High School in 1946 as valedictorian.

He was a member of Guardian Angel Church and the Knights of Columbus. He served as a church liturgical leader and was a member of the parish council, a Catholic Youth Council instructor and a fourth-degree Grand Knight. He was also an associate member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for 43 years.

During the Korean War, he served in the Army, achieving the rank of staff sergeant.

He was well known as the man at the sound stand at the annual Oran KC Fourth of July Picnic.

Lawrence loved baseball. His passion led him to pitch for the Chaffee (Missouri) American Legion team and later to serve as a founding member of the Little League Baseball program in Oran, coaching the Yankees with his friend, Robey LeGrand.

After a career of 41 years as a freight agent with the Missouri Pacific Railroad, Lefty retired to an active life which included playing cards, shooting pool, wine-making, woodworking, dancing and planning summer outings and special events for his many grandchildren.

At 93, he was born from the "The Greatest Generation." His values were forged by Depression-era life experiences. As a young boy his family suffered multiple hardships: a house fire that destroyed all their belongings, bankruptcy and the loss of the family farm during the Great Depression. Lefty would grow up to become a man of unrelenting resilience, kindness, generosity and faith.

His love for his community was apparent in so many ways. You may have received or used one of the many woodcraft items he donated to benefit auctions or gave as gifts: podiums, baseball bats, doll cradles, arm bracelets, musical jewelry boxes, chess tables, train sets, etc. Maybe you received a bottle of homemade wine as a present or as an appreciation for some kindness you showed.

He was preceded in death by parents, Philip and Alvina, and siblings, Zeno, Alma, Syvilla, Agnes, Henry, Raymond, Albert, Paul, Elmer and Mary.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ida Mae, and their eight children, Larry (Karla) Seyer, Mary (Tim) Pensel, Marty (Melinda) Seyer, Jane (Larry) Blankenship, Kevin (Melanie) Seyer, Anita Seyer, Robert (Deborah) Seyer and Bennett Seyer, along with 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the charity of choice.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran, Parish rosary will be at 4p.m., followed by Knights of Columbus prayers.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Guardian Angel Church in Oran.

Online condolences may be shared at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.