James Seybert

Former Alaskan James "Darryl" Seybert, died Nov. 22, 2010, in Seattle, Wash., of cancer. He was 72.

Darryl's life will be celebrated at a gathering of family and friends at 4 p.m. Dec. 21 at Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, 4721 Aircraft Drive in Anchorage. All are welcome to attend.

Darryl was born Feb. 22, 1938, in Salina, Kan.

When he was 12, his parents ventured to the Alaska Bush to teach school and provide services to villages including Venetie and Pilot Point. Darryl spent several years in Pilot Point and has since returned there many times to fish and visit family. At the age of 15, he left Pilot Point to attend high school at St. John's Military School in Kansas, returning to Pilot Point in the summers to commercial fish and obtain his pilot's license. From there, he continued his education at the University of Washington, graduating with a degree in finance and accounting.

Darryl spent the majority of his business career at the Boeing Co., where he rose through the ranks to the senior management level, and where he was highly regarded for his intellect and business acumen.

Darryl retired from the Boeing Co. in 1998, and then embarked on his second career, known as "retirement," which he pursued with the same vigor and purpose as his business career. He often jokingly stated that he was working on "perfecting the art of doing nothing."

He traveled constantly, including cross-country road trips to see ball games (in his big red Cadillac bearing the license plate "Ratfish"), and frequent visits with his friends and family in Alaska. He particularly enjoyed his trips to Reno, Nev., with his wife Donna, his annual trips to Hawaii with his daughters Tami and Nancy, and his fishing and Iditarod trips with his nephew, Danny, with whom he had a special relationship and loved like a son. In addition he took great pleasure in his many trips to visit with and watch his grandsons play hockey and baseball.

Darryl was also an avid reader and just about any subject was of interest to him. He was brilliant with numbers and logic, and through the years played a mean game of Bridge, Hearts, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit.

If asked to pick one word to describe him, most people would immediately choose the word "fun." He never missed an opportunity to provide positive and entertaining involvement in the lives of his friends and family members. Filled with a love for a good time and interest in others, Darryl made friends easily and maintained contact with many. Wherever he was, loud and boisterous laughing could be heard in the vicinity, and before long those nearby became new friends and were included in the fun.

In keeping with his positive and pragmatic outlook on life, when diagnosed with cancer in January, he continued to enjoy his time with friends and family as long as he could. He opted not to seek treatment that would diminish the quality of the time he had left. He never once complained or felt sorry for himself as he had lived a full life, done everything he had wanted to do, and had done so on his own terms. Even though his brave acceptance of his fate taught those around him a beautiful life lesson, he will be forever missed by those who knew and loved him.

Darryl is survived by his wife, Donna. They had a wonderful partnership, love and mutual respect for over 25 years. Darryl is also survived by his mother, Clarice Gilchrist; his brother, Orin Seybert; his daughters and their families: Tami Terreson and her husband Gregg and children Christie Carioto (her husband Aaron and daughters Harper and Marin Carioto), Julie Terreson and Brian Terreson; Nancy Schierhorn and her husband Joe and children Chris, Brad and Eric Schierhorn. In addition, he is survived by Donna's son, Chris Evans and his wife Debbie and children Eric, Samantha & Elizabeth Evans. He is also survived by many nephews, nieces and other extended family members and dear friends who he respected and treated as family.