Obituary of Lesley Lee Seymore

On Saturday, September 1, 2018, Lesley Lee Seymore, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 77, at his home on Lake Fork in Yantis, Texas.

Lesley was born on November 13, 1940 in a small farm house in Seymore Community just south of Sulphur Springs, Texas.  Both of his parents grew up on farms in or near the community.  His father’s occupation relocated the family to 23 different places from coast to coast before returning to Sulphur Springs during his sophomore year to finish high school.  That is where he met his childhood sweetheart, Barbara. 

After graduation from Sulphur Springs High School in 1959, Lesley went to Texas Tech College in Lubbock, Texas.  Both he and Barbara graduated from Tech in 1964.  During his freshman year at Tech, he signed up for Air Force ROTC because the pay was $43 a month and he needed the money.  Four years later, Lesley was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

Lesley married Barbara Ann Bell on September 5, 1964 and borrowed $600 from his uncle to finance the honeymoon.  While on their honeymoon, he was informed that he was assigned to pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas.

After pilot training, Lesley was assigned as an instructor pilot at Reese AFB.  He then completed F-100 Super Sabre training at Luke AFB in Arizona in preparation for a tour at Phan Rang AFB, Vietnam where he flew 263 missions.  Among other aircraft, Lesley flew another single seat jet; the A-7 Corsair II.  During his Air Force career, he and his family moved seven times for different assignments.  After 23 years, Lesley retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel. 

Lesley was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Loyl Seymore, and mother, Veta Onellia (Douglass) Seymore, and his grandparents, Elmer and Delia Seymore and Charlie and Maye Douglass. 

Lesley will be lovingly remembered by his childhood sweetheart, best friend and wife of 54 years, Barbara Ann (Bell) Seymore and their children, Craig Anthony Seymore of Yantis, Texas and girlfriend, Tammy Sherman;  Alicia Ann (Seymore) Day and her husband, Adam Benton Day, of Manvel, Texas, as well as fellow Air Force pilot, and dear friend, John Wall.   Lesley “Papa” will also be fondly remembered by his four grandchildren, Benton Lee Day, Brennon Lee Seymore, Barrett Sparks Day, and Kendall Grace Seymore. 

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 8, 2018 at First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held at 3:00 p.m., prior to service. Military graveside honors will follow the service at Seymore Cemetery. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com