Dates

• Existence: 1934 - 2008

biographical statement

Montell Seely (1934-2008) was a farmer, rancher, and leader in his community, in Castle Dale, Utah.

Montell Seely was born on February 5, 1934 to Karl A. Seely and Cora Guymon Seely. He was born in Castle Dale, Utah. He grew up in Castle Dale, where he was active in athletics and leadership. He served as the student body president at South Emery High School, where he graduated in 1952. Two years later in 1954 he served a mission in North Carolina until 1956. Seely graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science from BYU and during his studies he was a member of the BYU ballroom dance team. On August 27, 1963 he married Kathryn Pincock in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in Orangeville for four years, but returned to Provo in 1970. Seely earned a Master's degree in 1972 and worked in the counseling department in Provo High School for three years. Seely was a farmer and rancher, and ran a farm originally homesteaded by his grandfather, Justus Wellington Seely II. He collected wagons and buggies in honor of early pioneers and organized several ward treks. The Castle Valley Pageant, an annual performance honoring the first settlers of the area was organized and written by Seely. He also wrote an Emery County History in 1981 and Seely history books in 1988 and 1996. Seely passed away on August 12, 2008, as the result of an accident while leading a handcart expedition.

Citation:

"Montell Seely: Obituary," Emery County Progress, 2008 August 19. (b. 1934 Feb 5 to Karl A. Seely and Cora Guymon Seely; b. in Castle Dale, Utah; grew up in Castle Dale, where he was active in athletics and leadership; served as the student body president at South Emery High School, where he graduated in 1952; served a mission in North Carolina in 1954-1956; graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science from BYU; m. Kathryn Pincock 1963 Aug 27 in the Idaho Falls Temple; member of the ballroom dance team at BYU; lived in Orangeville for four years, but returned to Provo in 1970; earned a Master's degree in 1972 and worked in the counseling department in Provo High for three years; farmer and rancher, and ran a farm originally homesteaded by his grandfather, Justus Wellington Seely II; collected wagons and buggies in honor of early pioneers; organized several ward treks and the Castle Valley Pageant, an annual performance honoring the first settlers of the area; wrote an Emery County History in 1981, Seely history books in 1988 and 1996, and the Pageant script; d. 2008 Aug 12, as the result of an accident while leading a handcart expedition.)

Montell Seely papers, MSS 7950. L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. (involved with Castle Valley Pageant, wrote Seely history books in 1988).

"Saying goodbye to Montell Seely," Emery County Progress, 2008 Aug 19. (d. as the result of an accident while leading a handcart expedition).

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records: