Tony Seabaugh

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Tony J. Seabaugh slipped into the arms of the Lord on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, in South Bend, after complications from a fall in September.

He was born Jan. 17, 1927, in Jackson to Tony M. and Bess Seabaugh.

His parents and grandson, David M. Cheek, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Patricia Seabaugh; daughter, Karen (Stephen) Cheek of Diamondville, Wyoming; sons, Alan (Jan) Seabaugh of South Bend and Brad (Theresa) Seabaugh of Brooklyn, New York; granddaughters, Allison Simon of New Bloomfield, Missouri, Whitney (Tyler) Swinyard of Salt Lake City and Madison (Trevor) Griggs of Salt Lake City; grandsons, Thomas Seabaugh of Los Angeles, John (Amanda) Seabaugh of Granger, Indiana, Christian (Elayna) Seabaugh of Lomita, California, Patrick (Kayla) Seabaugh of Queens, New York, and Alex Seabaugh of Brooklyn; and eight great-grandchildren.

Tony grew up in Cape Girardeau, serving in the Army Air Corps from February 1945 to November 1946.

Tony met Patricia Carter at a church youth event when they were in high school, and they became engaged following the end of his military service. They were married Dec. 6, 1946, in Cape Girardeau.

After graduating from Southeast Missouri State College in May 1949, Tony immediately went to work for the Southeast Missourian newspaper in the accounting department. In 1951, he received an appointment as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he had a distinguished career of 27 years, the last seven at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C.

He and Pat retired back to Cape Girardeau in 1978, where he served nine years part time as an investigator for the local prosecuting attorney. In 1992, they moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. There he attended Village Bible Church, where he brought his fine tenor voice to the choir and to quartets.

He took pleasure in working with his hands. He was a skilled gardener and woodworker. He took excellent care of his cars, and he enjoyed being outdoors. He and Pat traveled until he could no longer drive. They lived happily in Hot Springs Village for 26 years. When it became evident this year he needed to be close to family, they moved to South Bend. He loved his family and was proud of each one of them. They loved him, too, and will miss him.

The family plans a private celebration of his life.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.