Ryan "Brownie" Seals

Brownie Seals, age 95, of Dallas, and native of Coleman, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2014 in a Dallas hospital. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 8, in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Brad Slaten, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. A visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Coleman Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home in Coleman.

He was born Ryan Brown Seals on July 23, 1920, the son of Harrison Seals and Ocia Brown Seals. He grew up in Coleman and graduated from Coleman High School in 1937. Following high school, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree at Texas A & M University in 1941 and in 1952 he received his Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics from Daniel Baker College. He did postgraduate work at Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University and University of Southern Mississippi, receiving a degree from there in 1978. He received a Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Enineering, Shelbourne University in 1987 and a Doctor of Philosophy from 20th Century University in 2000.

Brownie was first married to his high school sweetheart, Mary Jo Taylor, but the marriage ended after a short time. He married Doris Jo Brown on March 29, 1942 and they had one daughter, Sandra Jean Seals. He married Jeannette Meadows in 1967 and she preceded him in death in 1998. In 1942 he was inducted into the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in April of 1946. His career spanned many decades as he worked at radio stations, including KNET and KSTA. Brownie actually helped with the construction of KSTA's building. He was their first program director and also DJ'd during his time working there.

From 1952-1971 he was a design engineer with Collins Radio Company in Dallas during which time he was on the team that designed the communication system for the first space shuttle, and was later a consultant in electronics in Dallas, Austin and Los Angeles for Collins. He was a systems engineer and program manager for Litton Data Systems division in Pascagoula, Mississippi from 1971-1981, senior staff engineer, 1981-1987 and a consultant from 1987-1992. He was a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, a member of the International Aerobatics Club and the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was a certified flight instructor. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by one daughter, Sandra Jean Harmes of Coleman; one grandson, Stacy Dane Harmes of Alvin; one great-granddaughter, Bridgett Anysse Harmes of Houston; his loving companion of 17 years, Evelyn Tearnan of Dallas, and her family. Please leave condolences for the family at www.livingmemorials.com.