Jim D. Seeden

Obituary of Jim Seeden

Jimmy Deane Seeden, known to his friends as Jim, was the only child of John and Lois Seeden. He was born in 1932 in Carroll, Iowa and died on June 30 2025 in Rio Grande City, Texas. Jim graduated as salutatorian from Minneapolis Patrick Henry High School and his classmates voted him most likely to succeed. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hamline University with majors in science and speech. Jim worked many summers at Many Point Scout Camp becoming its Program Director and, for his scout training programs and leadership, was awarded a Vigil Honor membership in the Order of the Arrow. He taught biology, general science, environmental issues and speech at New London, Richfield, Minneapolis Marshall-University and South High Schools. He coached high school speech and debate and earned the National Forensic League's Coach's Diamond Key Award. Jim served as president of the Minnesota Debate Teacher's Association and received its first Distinguished Service Award. He taught speech at the University of Minnesota and Hamline University. He served as president of the Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota, and it designated him as an Outstanding Individual in Communication. Jim promoted and advanced the development of the Minnesota State High School League's "Great Speeches" competition and received the League's Hall of Fame award for his leadership in speech and debate. Jim served as president of the Iris Society of Minnesota. He founded and served as president of the Daylily Society of Minnesota and chaired the 1991 American Hemerocallis Society's national convention. He spent the last twenty-plus years of his life in Rio Grande City, Texas at Rancho Lomitas, a ranch devoted to nature activities on which he assisted as one of the ranch's naturalists. As chair of the Rio Grande City Parks Commission, he initiated the City's park system. During his years in Texas, Jim wrote weekly articles, published in the Starr County Town Crier, about "Wild Things" in the Rio Grande Valley and in support of conservation.

Rio Grande City - Jim D. Seeden, 93, died Monday June 30, 2025, at Rio Grande City Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Rio Grande City, TX. Funeral arrangements will be under the direction of Sanchez Funeral Home in Rio Grande City, TX.