Obituary for Emmett "Neal" O'Neal Seaborn Jr.
Emmett O’Neal Seaborn Jr. (Neal) passed away on May 18th, 2021. He and his beloved wife, Betty, had been married for sixty-two years, living in Wellesley for fifty years.
Emmett was born September 5, 1934, the son of Emmett O. Seaborn Sr. and Iris Dean Seaborn in Bainbridge, Georgia. His sisters Linda Traynor and Diane Smith, and their families still reside in that area.
Emmett graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in aeronautical engineering and advanced training in the ROTC program. He was commissioned a second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and assigned to Ethan Allen Air Force Base in Winooski, Vermont. His primary mission was maintenance on fighter
jets. While serving at Ethan Allen Airforce Base, Neal met his future wife Betty Prevost, who was a student at the University of Vermont School of Dental Hygiene. The two became engaged in February of 1959, and were married in August of 1959. The couple then moved to Seattle, Washington, where Neal took a job with the Boeing Airplane Company. Neal worked for Boeing for eighteen years, then took a job with the RCA
Company Government Division and then with the Bolt Beranek and Newman Company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Neal retired in the late 1990s.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Neal was an avid volunteer and supporter of the Wellesley community. Over the years, he served with the Wellesley Little League as Equipment Manager and a coach, as well as serving nine years as a commissioner on the Natural Resources Commission. As a commissioner, he helped to guide the redevelopment of the new Wellesley High School, improvements to Morse’s Pond, and the restoration of Fuller Brook Park. For his service to the community, he was awarded the Outstanding Citizen Award by the League of Women Voters of Wellesley in 2014. Neal was also an active member of the Wellesley VIllage Church, serving on almost every board, committee, and ministry team over the forty-nine years that he and Betty were members of the church.
Neal is survived by his wife Betty, and their three sons.The eldest, Emmett and his wife Donna Schroeder of Bedford, New York, the third son, Eric and his wife Diane of Wellesley, Massachusetts and the youngest son Elliott and his wife Melanie of Cohasset, Massachusetts. Neal was predeceased by his second son Evan. Neal and Betty are proud grandparents of nine grandchildren.
A family graveside service was held at Woodlawn Cemetery on May 22nd, 2021. A memorial service to celebrate Neal’s life will be held in the fall at Wellesley Village Church.
Donations in memory of Neal can be made to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Newton, Massachusetts, Alzheimer’s research at McLean Hospital, or to the Wellesley Village Church.
Emmett was born September 5, 1934, the son of Emmett O. Seaborn Sr. and Iris Dean Seaborn in Bainbridge, Georgia. His sisters Linda Traynor and Diane Smith, and their families still reside in that area.
Emmett graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in aeronautical engineering and advanced training in the ROTC program. He was commissioned a second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and assigned to Ethan Allen Air Force Base in Winooski, Vermont. His primary mission was maintenance on fighter
jets. While serving at Ethan Allen Airforce Base, Neal met his future wife Betty Prevost, who was a student at the University of Vermont School of Dental Hygiene. The two became engaged in February of 1959, and were married in August of 1959. The couple then moved to Seattle, Washington, where Neal took a job with the Boeing Airplane Company. Neal worked for Boeing for eighteen years, then took a job with the RCA
Company Government Division and then with the Bolt Beranek and Newman Company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Neal retired in the late 1990s.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Neal was an avid volunteer and supporter of the Wellesley community. Over the years, he served with the Wellesley Little League as Equipment Manager and a coach, as well as serving nine years as a commissioner on the Natural Resources Commission. As a commissioner, he helped to guide the redevelopment of the new Wellesley High School, improvements to Morse’s Pond, and the restoration of Fuller Brook Park. For his service to the community, he was awarded the Outstanding Citizen Award by the League of Women Voters of Wellesley in 2014. Neal was also an active member of the Wellesley VIllage Church, serving on almost every board, committee, and ministry team over the forty-nine years that he and Betty were members of the church.
Neal is survived by his wife Betty, and their three sons.The eldest, Emmett and his wife Donna Schroeder of Bedford, New York, the third son, Eric and his wife Diane of Wellesley, Massachusetts and the youngest son Elliott and his wife Melanie of Cohasset, Massachusetts. Neal was predeceased by his second son Evan. Neal and Betty are proud grandparents of nine grandchildren.
A family graveside service was held at Woodlawn Cemetery on May 22nd, 2021. A memorial service to celebrate Neal’s life will be held in the fall at Wellesley Village Church.
Donations in memory of Neal can be made to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Newton, Massachusetts, Alzheimer’s research at McLean Hospital, or to the Wellesley Village Church.