Julius Pierce Seeger
- July 6, 1922 - December 15, 2011
- Austin, Texas
of Julius' Passing
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Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home South
2620 S. Congress Ave
Austin,
TX
78704
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Memories & Candles
Previous
“Dearest Mark & Ruth, We are very sorry about your beloved Father and Husband with our sympathy time. We are lovable, remember him at TSD he is very...Read More »
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1 of 27 | Posted by: Max & Dorothy Floyd - Midland, TX
“Dear Ruth and Mark:
I was so very sorry to hear of your beloved husband and father passing. I know you can take comfort in the knowledge that he...Read More »
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2 of 27 | Posted by: Sandra Hassell - Austin, TX
“Mark and Aunt Ruth:
I didn't know Julius very well, because life took us in different directions, but I do have fond memories of him during family...Read More »
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3 of 27 | Posted by: Maria Seeger - Katy, TX
“Mark, Jeff, Ruth and family,
Rosie and I would like to say the following: 1) Mark and Jeff are very devoted to their parents on a consistent...Read More »
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4 of 27 | Posted by: Steve Baldwin and Rosie Serna - TX
“Dear Ruth, Mark and Jeff,
My heart is sad for Julius's passing but elated for his new life in Heaven. I know that Julius loved you all dearly...Read More »
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5 of 27 | Posted by: Ferri Lou Redden (Poss) - Austin, TX
“Being 12 years old and growing up, I lacked a male figure to whom I would respect and emulate. I choose JP to be that person. He was my cadet...Read More »
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6 of 27 | Posted by: Bert Poss - Alpine, TX
“Dear Ruth and Mark,
Our love and symathy goes to you two. I know how dearly Julius was. I have know you two over the years through my mother and...Read More »
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7 of 27 | Posted by: Pauline Laster - Thurmont, MD
“i am sorry about julius i will pray for ruth and mark .ok i am memeber 1978 at tsd i know ruth and julius are work hards for tsd many years i know...Read More »
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8 of 27 | Posted by: Patrick Emery - Kerrville, TX
“Mark & Jeff, May you feel the strength from all the love your Dad had for you and that he had from so many others. I remember how, as a fledgling...Read More »
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9 of 27 | Posted by: Toni Dunne - Bastrop, TX - friend
“DEAR RUTH AND MARK,
I AM SO SORRY ABOUT JULIUS SEEGER DEATH. I WILL MISS HIM AND NOW HE IS IN PEACE WITH THE LORDS. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU BOTH ALWAYS...Read More »
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10 of 27 | Posted by: Mary Jo Stevens - Weimar, TX
“I will surely miss you your charming face at ALZCARE. You always made me smile when I saw you. May the Lord bless your family during these hard...Read More »
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11 of 27 | Posted by: SHIN - KYLE, TX
“Mr. Seeger was a person I only knew casually as someone associated with some of the members of the Deaf school as a volunteer to one of the homes for...Read More »
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12 of 27 | Posted by: Nancy Stefanou - Austin, TX
“Wonderful memories of a wonderful man who raised and loved a truly wonderful son. My heart and prayers to you!
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13 of 27 | Posted by: Billy Collins Jr - Austin, TX
“Cousin Julius was always one of my favorite people. He LOVED his family... I don't mean just Cousin Ruth and Mark.... his ENTIRE family.... ALL of us...Read More »
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14 of 27 | Posted by: Sarah Ferrell - Nacogdoches, TX
“Mark
My thoghts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Lauri Metcalf
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15 of 27 | Posted by: Lauri Metcalf - San Antonio , TX
“I will remember visiting with you at The Summit and bringing you Frito's and candy and seeing your face light up and your eyes widen.
I will...Read More »
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16 of 27 | Posted by: Kathleen Rogers - Austin, TX
“Dear Mark and Ruth,
Julius was a dear friend and an inspiration in so many ways. He encouraged and loved so many throughout his life. We are...Read More »
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17 of 27 | Posted by: Sha and Tom Cowan - TX - friends
“As a retired TSD employee, I have many fond memories of Julius. He was a delightful person and so well liked.
My thoughts & prayers are with Mark,...Read More »
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18 of 27 | Posted by: Mary Polk - Wimberley, TX
“To Ruth, Mark, Jeff and family: Julius was a man that was unassuming, fun, honest, and there was no pretense whatsover with this gentleman. He had...Read More »
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19 of 27 | Posted by: Jennifer Howell - Round Rock, TX
“My deepest sympathy to Ruth and Mark on their loss. I will always remember Julius as my classmate with auburn hair like myself! I have pleasant...Read More »
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20 of 27 | Posted by: Jean Zisman - Rockville, MD
“Dear Ruth and Mark,
I am sorry to hear about him. I know how hard you have been through all years and has full life enjoyed with many memories.
...Read More »
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21 of 27 | Posted by: Christine Webb (Phillips) - TX
“I just want to be sharing with you about Julius Pierce Seeger.He was very smart and nice guy from his warm heart to be caring about deaf studnet and...Read More »
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22 of 27 | Posted by: Aulby Larry Gillett - San Angelo, TX
“Dear Ruth, Mark and friends of Austin,
During late 80's, I visited Austin twice. Julius was a wonderful man that I ever enjoyed interacting...Read More »
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23 of 27 | Posted by: Sarah Burton Doleac - MD
“Class of TSD 1944 and the Class of 1949 have losta great friend and will be missed....
Class mate.... Don B
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24 of 27 | Posted by: D.H.Bradford - austin, TX
“Enjoyed staying w/ Julius/Ruth while visiting Austin in the '80.
Stories! Enjoyed hearing stories of his parents bakery store and his mule rides...Read More »
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25 of 27 | Posted by: Ms. laura F. Laird - austin, TX
“Enjoyed staying w/ Julius/Ruth while visiting Austin in the '80.
Stories! Enjoyed hearing stories of his parents bakery store and his mule rides...Read More »
”
26 of 27 | Posted by: Ms. laura F. Laird - austin, TX
“Julius and Ruth lit an endless flame in the hearts of American Foundation for the Elderly Deaf, Inc general partner of La Vista Retirement Communtiy...Read More »
”
27 of 27 | Posted by: Dr. Daisy A. Palmer - Austin, TX
Julius Pierce Seeger, age 89, a long-time Austin resident, passed away on December 15, 2011. He came into this world on July 6, 1922 in McKinney, Texas. Like many loving and caring parents of a deaf child, Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Bera Seeger wanted their child to have a well-rounded education at the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD). During his first years at TSD, he often spent time with his McNamara cousins and beloved Aunt Olive. He often took McNamara bakery goods back to the school to share with his fellow students. After the great depression, his parents relocated their bakery business and their five children to Austin in 1931. At the time, TSD had quality academic, vocational, military, athletic and scouting programs. The sacrifice paid off when Julius graduated from TSD in 1943 and went on to get two college degrees, a B.A. Degree in Education from the only liberal arts college for the deaf in the world, Gallaudet University, in 1949 and an M.A. Degree in Psychology from another quality university, the University of Texas at Austin in 1968.
Julius had a special sign name that is well known in the Deaf Community by the way of American Sign Language and Deaf Culture: the pinkie finger touches the shoulder, then travels down quickly to touch the lower arm, communicating that he was a strong man. The sign name is reminiscent of the immaculate uniforms he proudly wore either as a Lieutenant Colonel Commander or Explorer Scout Master at TSD where he taught generations of students the necessary self-discipline and the sport of camping, fishing and hunting. He also taught the students outdoor cooking, especially with a lot of brick butter to go on the BBQ meats. He was like Food Channel's "iron chef" in his glory days of great cooking of any cuisine or style, especially fantastic desserts.
Indeed, cooking was his specialty as much as his passion for teaching and counseling at TSD where he worked for 37 years. His culinary and housekeeping expertise enabled his beloved wife, Ruth Mae Taubert Seeger, to become a successful track and field coach at the high school and international level. Upon their simultaneous retirement in 1987, Julius encouraged Ruth to become one of the nation's most celebrated and medaled senior citizen track and field athletes, winning more than an unprecedented 300 medals from 1991 to 2004. Their only son, Mark Seeger, who sometimes drove his parents across the city or state to those senior games, is a nationally known certified interpreter for the deaf and a dedicated professional advocate for the social and communicative needs of the Deaf Community. Between the achievements of his wife and his son, Julius had time for himself in terms of giving back to TSD and the Texas Deaf Community.
Historically, he became one of the first true deaf jurors in Travis County, an unprecedented role he cherished. Besides volunteering as an Explorer master for years, Julius focused his interest on the interpreting, educational and social needs of the Deaf Community in Travis County as well as the great State of Texas. He became a board member of the Travis County Services for the Deaf Advisory Board as well as the American Foundation of Elderly Deaf and Vaughn House (VH) of Austin. At VH, he became its director as well, which testifies to his interest in the needs of multi-handicapped Deaf adults. Julius also became president of the Texas Association of the Deaf (TAD) from 1982 to 1984. For his advocacy and legislative efforts, TAD gave him the Rehabilitation Award.
The most recent honor Julius received was having the Career, Technology and Education facility at TSD named in his honor. That facility was unveiled as "The Julius P. Seeger Career Center" before his family, friends and TSD staff on August 16, 2008.
Other organizations, such as Sertoma Club of Austin and the Texas Department of Human Resources, awarded and commended Julius for his excellent community service on behalf of the Deaf. Two more distinctive awards stood out strongly: the Order of the Arrow from the National Brotherhood of Scout Honor Campers and the induction into the Texas School for the Deaf Alumni Association Hall of Fame as a community leader. Not many people realize that Julius also served as president of the TSD-PTA in the 1970s, which showed how much he cared for the overall education of deaf children in Texas.
And he still found time to gain his credentials as a Licensed Professional Counselor and deaf intermediary sign language interpreter from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. His reputation as a great cook and meticulous housekeeper continued beyond his retirement until health problems forced him to enter a health care facility in 2005.
According to many of his close friends and colleagues, Julius was the consummate volunteer with a heart of gold who was always there to help with an honest smile. He was a warm and friendly person who welcomed anyone in his home, office, printing shop, camp or at any kind of meeting. Never one to flaunt his talents, contributions or act of kindness and professionalism, Julius was an unassuming southern gentleman who personally preferred to be in the background so that others could enjoy the limelight of fame, success, skills, knowledge and happiness. In hindsight, Julius was the epitome of humility, a quality lacking in this materialistic world. Indeed, Julius will be solely missed by the Texas Deaf community, his loving family, fellow TSD alumni, former students, and friends.
Julius was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Bera Seeger; one older brother, George Seeger; one younger sister, Rhea Fernandes.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Ruth; his son, Mark and his partner, Jeff; Julius' older brother, Billy; younger brother, Lawrence; a special nephew, Bob Taubert; as well as many other beloved nephews and nieces and cousins throughout the Seeger, Taubert, and McNamara families.
A Memorial Service with reception to follow will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 29,
continued...2011 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 South Congress Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that memorial contributions be made to the Texas School for the Deaf Foundation.
TSD Foundation
PO Box 42727
Austin, Texas 78704
Donations can be made online at: www.tsdfoundation.org.
The family would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff of the Summit at Westlake Hills, Heart–to-Heart Hospice, AlzCare of San Marcos, and the "Boss" (Jo) for their many hours of loving care.
The family would like to thank Dr. Steve Baldwin for composing the obituary.
Memorial Service
December 29, 2011
3:00 PM
Weed-Corley-Fish South
2620 S. Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 442-1446
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