John Russell Seaman, affectionately known in the Riverbank, CA area as “Scooter John” died on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at Hospice House in Hughson, CA. Ironically, his scooter was implicated in his demise as he fell from it while traveling down Oakdale Road between Riverbank and Modesto. John was taken to Doctors Hospital in Modesto, suffering from a critical head wound from which he did not regain consciousness.
John was born in Santa Clara County and moved to Riverbank in the early 1940’s. Wherever else he went in the world, he always considered Riverbank his home town and Riverbank’s First United Methodist Church, where his family became members, a spiritual anchor. John attended both Oakdale High School and Escalon High School, graduating from there in 1954.
A proud Army veteran, John served from 1959-1962 as a Medical Corpsman in Korea for the United Nations peacekeeping mission between the Korean and the Vietnam wars. He was always proud of his service, the American flag and his association with other vets. He could often be found at the American Veterans First building in Riverbank on Patterson Road. He was both the beneficiary as well as the giver of kindness, especially with fellow veterans.
After his service stint, John worked at both Modesto and Agnew State Hospitals as a Psychiatric Tech – perhaps that is where he acquired a very quirky personality. He also owned and operated a small local store in Northern California timber country, returning to the Riverbank area in the 1980’s to be closer to his family.
Along with Veterans and church groups, John was a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over 47 years – sponsoring many others in the AA organization. He proudly carried his medallions that marked his years of sobriety, and would ride his scooter for miles to attend an AA meeting and receive and give support from and to his AA friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John (Jack) and Marie Moore Seaman and his younger brother, Allen Lee Seaman. He is survived by the many friends he collected over 83 years.
Memorial services for John will be held at First United Methodist Church, Corner of Atchison and Third streets, in Riverbank on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 10 a.m. A reception will follow. His ashes will be interred at the Veterans Cemetery, Santa Nella, CA on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 1 p.m.
If you desire to make a memorial donation in John’s name, please consider the First United Methodist Church, Third and Atchison, Riverbank, CA 95367; the American Veterans First, P.O. Box 344, Riverbank, CA 95367; or the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, 2201 Euclid Ave., Hughson, CA 95326.
The Oakdale (Calif) Leader
John was born in Santa Clara County and moved to Riverbank in the early 1940’s. Wherever else he went in the world, he always considered Riverbank his home town and Riverbank’s First United Methodist Church, where his family became members, a spiritual anchor. John attended both Oakdale High School and Escalon High School, graduating from there in 1954.
A proud Army veteran, John served from 1959-1962 as a Medical Corpsman in Korea for the United Nations peacekeeping mission between the Korean and the Vietnam wars. He was always proud of his service, the American flag and his association with other vets. He could often be found at the American Veterans First building in Riverbank on Patterson Road. He was both the beneficiary as well as the giver of kindness, especially with fellow veterans.
After his service stint, John worked at both Modesto and Agnew State Hospitals as a Psychiatric Tech – perhaps that is where he acquired a very quirky personality. He also owned and operated a small local store in Northern California timber country, returning to the Riverbank area in the 1980’s to be closer to his family.
Along with Veterans and church groups, John was a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over 47 years – sponsoring many others in the AA organization. He proudly carried his medallions that marked his years of sobriety, and would ride his scooter for miles to attend an AA meeting and receive and give support from and to his AA friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John (Jack) and Marie Moore Seaman and his younger brother, Allen Lee Seaman. He is survived by the many friends he collected over 83 years.
Memorial services for John will be held at First United Methodist Church, Corner of Atchison and Third streets, in Riverbank on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 10 a.m. A reception will follow. His ashes will be interred at the Veterans Cemetery, Santa Nella, CA on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 1 p.m.
If you desire to make a memorial donation in John’s name, please consider the First United Methodist Church, Third and Atchison, Riverbank, CA 95367; the American Veterans First, P.O. Box 344, Riverbank, CA 95367; or the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, 2201 Euclid Ave., Hughson, CA 95326.
The Oakdale (Calif) Leader
Nov. 27, 2019
