Harvey James (Jack) Sellers III, aged 73, of Iuka, Mississippi passed away quietly at North Mississippi Medical Center-Iuka on 20 May 2020. Jack died from complications related to Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Jack was born in Norman, Oklahoma but always considered himself a native of Kansas. He spent his early childhood in Lawrence, a town close to the University of Kansas and loved visiting his great-grandmother Elizabeth, who had grown up during the pioneer days on the Kansas prairie. Jack attended Allegany High School in Cumberland, Maryland and graduated class of 1964. In 1969 he graduated from Lynchburg College with a Bachelor of Science and later received a Master’s Degree in Chemistry. Jack began teaching high school soon after and discovered he had a natural affinity for teaching and coaching. He had excellent instincts about how to encourage and build on a person’s natural talents. This quality made Jack very successful as he transitioned to a career in aerospace. Jack joined Hercules Aerospace Company in 1980 and subsequently moved from Cumberland, Maryland to Salt Lake City, Utah. It is in Utah that Jack met Diane Johnson, who became the love of his life. They married on March 17, 1995. In 1999, Jack and several other employees of Alliant Techsystems were asked to spearhead the company’s installation of a new manufacturing facility in Iuka, Mississippi. Jack’s time at the plant in Mississippi was very successful, and he retired from ATK in 2013 as the operations senior manager of the Iuka facility.
Jack was a lifelong athlete and musician. He played several instruments, but is best known for percussion and guitar. He played these instruments throughout his entire adult life and loved jamming with friends and family. In the late 60’s and early 70’s he was in the band Coalition and remained close friends with his band mates to this day. He loved telling the story of how they traveled together to Woodstock in “Mother,” a 1949 Cadillac ambulance. Physical health and wellness were always a priority to Jack. He played rugby for many years; he also rock climbed, cycled, ran, and played golf to stay in shape. It’s no surprise that after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he joined a Rock Steady Boxing program to help battle the disease. Two accomplishments he was most proud of were summiting Grand Teton (elev. 13,770 ft.) with his brother Mike and playing on the Lynchburg Rugby Club with his brother Kevin.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents Harvey James and Betty Jo Sellers, as well as his younger brother Michael. He is survived by his loving wife Diane, his brother Kevin (Jean) Sellers, daughter Erin Sellers Hart, son Jake (Mara) Sellers, daughter Jennifer (Cary) Johnson Turner, and son John Johnson; three grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews; and great-nieces and nephews.
The family would like to send a special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff who cared for Jack the past three months – especially those with NMMC Hospice and Right at Home caregivers. Their compassionate care during this difficult time was above and beyond remarkable. We are truly grateful for their empathy and kindness.
Due to COVID19 restrictions, private services will be held for the family on Thursday, May 28 at Wilson Family Funeral Home in Minneapolis, Kansas. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held in Iuka, Mississippi and Salt Lake City, Utah at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to any of the following organizations:
Rock Steady Boxing
2518 Sherwood Drive SE
Decatur, AL 35601
*Checks payable to Rock Steady Boxing
Parkinson’s Foundation
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Alzheimer’s Foundation of America