John H. "Jack" Seymour, 79, Sturgis, died, Friday, February 20, 2015, at his residence.

He was born August 6, 1935, in Dupree, SD, to Happy and Nola (Brummet) Seymour. He grew up in the Dupree area. Jack married Joan Fairbanks September 25, 1955,in Dupree.

John as a youth was an 11 yr. member of 4-H. John was a self-employed ranch operator from 1955 to 1958. In 1959, he worked road construction for C H Lien. In the early 60's, John was a foreman for Sutton Ranch at Corson County. From 1964-1968, John went to college at BHSC while working at the Homestake saw mill and the Black Hills Passion Play. After completing college in the late 60's and early 70's, John was an Algebra Teacher in Sturgis and an Agriculture Teacher at Western Dakota Vo-tech. He was president of the local telephone co-op for 2 years and Teacher Association President and Negotiator, Wrestling Coach (6 time conference champ), and a School Board Member for 3 years. He was a member of the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture, Meade County Fair Board member and Treasurer for 5 years, and chairman of the South Dakota Rangeland Days for 2 years. In the 80's, he was an Ag Finance Counselor for the Department of Agriculture. John was also a candidate for Meade County State Representative. In 1986-2009, John ranched and operated Bear Butte Gelbvieh of rural Sturgis. In the fall of 2009, John retired into Sturgis.

He is survived by his sisters, Lois Sever, Deadwood, SD, Gail (Fred) Stambach of Dupree, SD, and Bonnie Picton of Longville, MN; one son, John Seymour Sturgis, SD; one daughter, Kathy Seymour Sturgis, SD; and two grandchildren, Derek and Amy, Sturgis, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Happy and Nola Seymour, and his wife, Joan Seymour.

Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2015, at the Sturgis Church of Christ.

A funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2015, at the Church of Christ in Sturgis with Pastors Ron Ledford and Harold Delbridge officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

A memorial has been established to the local youth programs and Hospice of the Northern Hills.