James Robert Seelen, Age: 80
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Jan 28, 1944---Apr 22, 2024

James Robert Seelen, 80, of Kansas City, passed away on 4/22/24 after a fighting an ongoing medical condition.

James was born on January 25th 1944 to Robert Mark Seelen and Helen Elynn Seelen in Huntsville, Alabama. 

James, a former federal employee, was a photographer, graphic designer and production manager.  He graduated with honors from UMKC in 1974 where Phi Kappa Phi scholastic key.  James was a member of MENSA.  He served in the military as an Airborne Ranger with the 101st Airborne Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and also a member of the Pathfinder team combat geared night parachute jump into Taiwan, 1964. James loved adventure and was a very active white-water rafter, skydiver, scuba diver, four-wheeler, and mountain climber having climbed 35 of Fourteeners in Colorado.  James was also an avid gardener, photographer, Route 66 historian and NASCAR fan. 

James is survived by one son, David Barrett Seelen and one grandson, Ethan James Seelen.

James was predeceased by his parents, Robert Mark Seelen and Helen Elynn Seelen along with his sister Joyce Lynn Trueman (Seelen). He is survived by his brother Jeffery Mark Seelen of Sedalia, Mo, Julie Patricia Ann Seelen of Overland Park.

Services will be held at Porter Funeral Home on May 3rd, 2024 at 4pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Humane Society, an organization James felt strongly about.


Condolences

Sjef Van Eijk Apr 29, 2024

Facebook friend ,Eindhoven, the Netherlands

Enjoyed our FB friendship where we shared a love for the North American motels. I will be one of many who will miss him. Safe travels Jim!

Seth Gaines Apr 29, 2024

Jim was a friend on Flickr for many years, as well as on FB. He was a valuable resource for all things motel and roadside. I always regretted not getting to meet him in person.

Dennis and Patty Cooper Apr 30, 2024

Cousin ,Chesterfield ,Missouri

Our condolences. Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Jim was kind to my mom, his aunt Evelyn. She would talk about his visits or calls. I enjoyed looking through his catalog of motel signs. Sorry we won’t be able to make the service. Thinking of you all. Dennis and Patty Cooper

Ann C Nixon May 01, 2024

Friend ,Kansas City ,Missouri

I knew Jim through the years. I sold him his houses and we certainly had some stories to tell. And stories on his cats--especially on his last home. I love cats too and am sending to the Humane Society in memory of Jim.. I just talked too him in April with help on his sales for his taxes. I will miss him, his photography, Facebook. My condolences to his son and family.

Connie Cooper Roscoe May 03, 2024

First cousin ,Grand Junction ,Colorado

My sympathy goes out to David and his family to Jules and Jeff, to all Jim’s nieces and nephews, and to all who knew and loved him. Jim was an adventurer, and he always had a good story to share about them. He had many interests and hobbies. In recent years, he started a photography album shared with myself and others on Facebook. Jim was my oldest cousin, and I always admired and respected him. He will be greatly missed.

Brian Gallaugher May 14, 2024

President of the SCA, an organziation which Jim belonged to ,Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jim was a long-time (since 2002) member of the Society for Commercial Archeology (SCA), a nation-wide organization dedicated to the study and celebration of the 20th century roadside. He donated his vast collection of digitized motel postcards to the SCA several years ago. It is now being curated by dedicated volunteers in the SCA. It is also available to the public for research or any worthwhile purpose, free of charge. Visit sca-roadside.org to see it for yourself. Donations that allow this type of care for Jim's collection are welcomed. People like Jim, who enthusiastically take on a project that others might see as frivolous, are exceptional people. We thank him for his dedication to the roadside and his generosity in making his collection available to all. Brian Gallaugher President SCA

Services

Event:
Memorial Service
Location:
Porter Funeral Home
Address:
8535 Monrovia St
City:
Lenexa
State:
Kansas
Zip Code:
66215
Date:
May 03, 2024
Time:
4:00 PM
Google Map:
Click Here to see Location on Map