John William Seal III

John William Seal III of Bridgewater VA, a devoted son, father, grandfather, and coach, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025, from complications associated with dementia. He was 74. Born on August 15, 1950, in suburban Philadelphia to John William Seal Jr. and Josephine Aldridge Seal, John's life was shaped early by his love of sports. He is survived by his sons, Michael and Robert Seal; his beloved grandchildren, Sadie and Cora Seal; his sister, Patricia Simpson, nieces Donna and Debbie, and nephew Danny; his former wife and close friend, Brenda Seal; his daughters-in-law, Megan Seal and Brandi Seal; and an extended family of cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Margaret Goff. John's parents met in 1943 in Texas, where John "Jack" Seal Jr. was stationed with the Army prior to his deployment to Europe during WWII. After the war, they settled in the Philadelphia area, near Jack's family, and had three children; Johnny was the baby. John was a standout athlete from an early age. In the third grade, he met Bob Heinsen. After a rocky start as 8-year-olds, they formed a close friendship that lasted the rest of John's life. At Marple Newtown High School, he starred in football and wrestling, graduating in 1968. He then followed his father's footsteps to Randolph-Macon Military Academy, where he captured the Virginia private school state wrestling title. That success led to a scholarship at Appalachian State University, where he wrestled under Coach Steve Gabriel, whom he considered a mentor. At Appalachian State, he met Brenda Chafin during an elective ballroom dancing class, a "smart and spirited" woman from rural southwest Virginia, as John would say. They married in 1973 and settled near Harrisonburg, Virginia, where John was hired by legendary athletic director Brownie Cummings to teach physical education and coach wrestling at Harrisonburg High School. For the next 18 years, Coach Seal built a powerhouse wrestling program. Under his leadership, the Blue Streaks won 15 Valley District championships and were perennial contenders at the regional and state level, including a state runner-up team finish. He coached seven individual state champions, many state place winners, and sent multiple athletes on to compete at the collegiate level. In 2002, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors in his sport. In 2011, he was inducted into the Harrisonburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame. John also coached boys' tennis at Harrisonburg High School from 1987-91, winning the state championship in 1991, as well as JV football and girls' softball during his career. As in all phases of his life, John enjoyed close friendships within the Harrisonburg coaching staff. He retired from coaching in 1991 and continued his service to Harrisonburg City Public Schools as an administrator, overseeing physical education, family life education, health education, school nursing, driver education, drug and substance abuse, school nutrition, and other programs until his retirement in 2004. During his career, he enjoyed many close friendships with his fellow coaches, teachers and staff. John was a devout music fan. A discerning listener with a love for the Grateful Dead - though he insisted he was not a hippy - his infectious love of music would help shape his sons' lives. When sharing his favorite Jerry Garcia or Duane Allman solo with them, he might proclaim midsong: "It's about to take off right here!" John took pride in his sons' shared love of music and their deep musical bond. Mike is a professional guitarist in Nashville, and John traveled frequently to see him perform. Rob owns Waynesboro Music, selling instruments and teaching music lessons. John was competitive by nature, ritually following national and college football and baseball with his pal, Yager Marks. He liked the horse races at Charles Town with his friend, Mike Jenkins, and racing a shared car at Eastside Speedway in the mini-modified division with his pal, Jack Cavanaugh. He played tennis weekly with Paul Cline, one of his closest friends and his doubles partner. Together, they entered the Daily News-Record Tennis Tournament many times, once winning both the open and over-40 divisions in the same year, a story John liked to tell. He was a warm and involved grandfather, cherishing Sadie and Cora. John's battle with dementia became debilitating in 2018, but he dealt with it as he had lived: a determined fighter. John William Seal III was deeply loved and will be missed. Friends are welcome to attend a memorial service at 2:00 PM on Monday, May 26, 2025, at Johnson Funeral & Cremation Service in Bridgewater. Online condolences may be shared with the family at johnsonfs.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral and Cremation Service in Bridgewater. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John, please visit our floral store.