Obituary: Harlon Lee Seats
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Harlon Lee Seats passed away May 22, 2012, after courageously battling pulmonary fibrosis. To all who knew him, Harlon was a "great, good man." He loved his family, and in particular his daughters, fiercely, and he retained his humor and his love of life right up to the time of his death. Harlon celebrated his 79th birthday with all his children and grandchildren on May 4.
Harlon graduated from Harrisburg High School and was an all-state guard on its football team. He attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a football scholarship and graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science. He cherished his opportunity to attend college, was president of his fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau, and had remained involved with his fraternity in recent years. Harlon was drafted into the Navy in 1956. Once discharged, Harlon married Nancy Huston, had three daughters, taught political science and coached football and baseball at Casa Grande High School, Ariz. He also received his master's degree in political science from Arizona State University. Harlon went on to become executive vice president of Payless Cashways, president of Diamond Lumber and West Building Materials, traveled extensively around the world, then retired in St. Louis to be influential and inspirational in the lives of his daughters and grandchildren.
Harlon is survived by his former wife Nancy; their three daughters, Becky, Cindy and Debby; and their seven grandchildren, Megan and Drew Holly, Sasha and Nick Nouri, and Daniel, Rachel, and David Anderson as well as his sister, Myrna Fife and his nephews, Steve and Mike Fife.
A military memorial service in Harlon's honor will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 1, 2012. That afternoon, a visitation will be held at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a memorial service immediately thereafter.
Prior to his death, Harlon asked that a scholarship be set up in his name to assist a worthy Harrisburg, Illinois High School student attend SIU Carbondale. Anyone wishing to contribute to this charitable cause, may send a check, made out to SIU Foundation with "Harlon Seats Memorial Fund" on the memo line, to: SIU Foundation, 1235 Douglas Drive, Colyer Hall, Mailcode 6805, Carbondale, Ill. 62901, Phone 618-453-4900, or online at the Internet site www.SIUFoundation.org
Harlon lived life to the fullest and his spirit and courage will live on forever in the lives of those he touched.