It is with deep sorrow that the family of Frank Knapp Seely Jr. announces his passing after a long illness Friday, February 16, 2018, at the age of 86, in Medford, Oregon.

A long-time resident of the Rogue Valley, Frank spent his early years as a military brat born September 15, 1931 in Portland, Ore. to Frank Knapp Seely Sr. and Margaret Hosmer Seely. Frank attended several schools in the Portland area and Santa Barbara, California, as a result of his father’s numerous assignments as an Air Force Officer and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) instructor.

He attended two years of college in Santa Barbara and Hawaii prior to enlisting in the United States Navy in 1953 during the Korean War. He served aboard the USS Yorktown (CVA-10) during patrols in the Western Pacific, which earned him the China Service, National Defense, and United Nations Service Medals. Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1955, he returned to college, earning his Bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University in 1957.

He held several positions in his early career, including a position at Lockheed Martin where he met his first wife, Nancy Norman. They were married in 1960 in Carmel, Calif. and went on to have three beautiful children, Ann, Michael, and Kristen. Later, he accepted a position at the University of California at Santa Barbara working in the budget office.

In 1971, Frank relocated the family to Ashland, Ore. where he accepted a position at Southern Oregon State College (SOSC, now Southern Oregon University) as Budget Director. Tragically, Nancy passed away in 1978 after a battle with breast cancer. Frank proudly served the college for 20 years, retiring in 1991. He also served on the board of the Mount Ashland Ski Resort for several years. Along the way, he forged numerous close friendships with fellow staff and community members. In retirement, Frank moved to Kauai, Hawaii but moved back to the Rogue Valley shortly after Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

In 1997, he met his current wife, Sandi, and they were married March 22, 1998 in a small ceremony in Lake Tahoe. Over the years, they enjoyed exploring other cultures together traveling all around the United States, Europe, and Mexico. Frank was an avid photographer and sportsman, enjoying fishing, camping, water and snow skiing, playing racket ball and tennis, dancing, bowling, snorkeling, and playing poker with his cronies from SOSC. He had an infectious sense of humor and optimism, loved spending time with his family, and always had a warm smile for everyone.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Nancy. Frank will be lovingly remembered by his wife of nearly 20 years, Sandi Seely; his children, Ann Remmenga (Joel), Mike Seely (Rene), and Kris Cuthbertson (Scott); his step-children, Tonya Sanchez (Oscar), Tami Mitchell, and Todd Young; his sister, Patti Metz; half-brother, Paul Seely; half-sister, Metta Seely; and 16 grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be announced at a later date.