James &8220;Jim&8221; D. Seaman, 76, died Saturday, March 31, 2007 following a brief illness.

A native of Rochester, New York, Jim Seaman earned undergraduate degrees from Syracuse University and New York State College of Forestry in 1952.

He served as a forester for three years before moving to Montevallo to establish Seaman Timber Company, Inc.

Under Jim Seaman&8217;s leadership, the company rose from a one-man operation producing charcoal and creosote-treated fence posts to a multi-national company producing a wide variety of treated and untreated wood products in more than a half-dozen locations throughout Alabama.

The forestry industry was quick to recognize Jim Seaman&8217;s leadership by welcoming him into both the State and National organizations.

He served as president of the National Railway Tie Association and the Alabama Forestry Association and devoted many years to the boards of directors of various forestry products associations. Jim&8217;s unselfish service earned him four of the industry&8217;s highest awards including Man of The Year in 1994.

While Shelby County and Alabama reaped the benefits of Seaman Timber Company&8217;s phenomenal economic impact, Jim Seaman&8217;s legacy of service reached beyond his profession.

He was an avid supporter of

the Alabama Historical Society, American Village, Academy of Fine Arts of Shelby County, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Museum of Art, U.S. Olympic Team, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans&8217; Memorial, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Restoration, Reagan Ranch Historical Trust and many local charitable organizations.

Jim was honored for his service and achievement by Boy Scouts of America (Distinguished Eagle Scout, 1996), State University of New York (Distinguished Alumnus), Montevallo Jaycees, University of Montevallo (Good Neighbor Award, 1991), The City of Montevallo (Civic Leader of theYear, 1977), and Anglican Church of the Holy Comforter.

Jim Seaman is survived by his wife, Janet W. Seaman; children, Lolly (Franz) Wenzel of Anderson, SC, Janice Seaman of Birmingham, David Seaman of Jackson, MS, Jan Dailey of Montevallo and Jim (Susan) Gauntt of Fayetteville, GA; grandchildren, Erin (John) Craddock of Quaker Hill, CN, Whitney Wenzel and Alex Wenzel of Anderson, SC, Samantha Seaman of Castleberry, Scott Dailey and Suzanne Dailey of Montevallo, Marshall Gauntt of Jacksonville, FL and Kristin Gauntt of Atlanta; brother, Tom (Jean) Seaman of Ithaca, NY and Vero Beach, FL. Jim was predeceased by his brother, George &8220;Buddy&8221; Seaman.

The funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 4 at 11 a.m. at the Anglican Church of the Holy Comforter in Montevallo Rockco Funeral Home directed.

Burial followed at the Montevallo Cemetery. Pallbearers were Kenny Dailey, Robby Johnson, Barry Scott, Rusty Nix, John Florida, Eddie Johnson, Jimmy Fletcher, Barry Cooner, Gene Rowland and Larry Abercrombie.

Serving as honorary pallbearers were Supervisors and Employees of Seaman Timber Company, Inc.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to &8220;Log A Load for Kids&8221; benefiting abused children at Childrens&8217; Hospital, a charitable fund established by the Alabama Forestry Association under Jim Seaman&8217;s leadership.