James Edward Seifert

James Edward Seifert, 85, honored veteran, technology pioneer, trusted salesman, lifelong Presbyterian, and beloved husband and father passed away peaceably on February 9, 2008. Jim was born on February 9, 1923 in Mansfield, Ohio to Edward Joseph Seifert and Martha Lewis Seifert. He was raised in Apollo and Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School and attended the University of Pittsburgh for a short time before enlisting in the Army in 1942. He served in the Pacific during World War II as a sergeant in the 749th core artillery battalion. After the war, he enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he met his wife of 35 years, Helen Allen of Lenox, Georgia. Together, he and Helen raised their 5 children in Pittsburgh, Houston, Minneapolis, and Atlanta. Jim was a pioneer in the field of airless paint spray technology as a territory sales leader for Graco Corporation in Texas and later led a product development team for Graco in Minneapolis. After leaving Graco in 1965, Jim moved his family to Atlanta where he founded Jim Seifert & Associates which he grew into the premier manufacturer's representative organization for the automotive repair field in the region. After 35 years of marriage, Helen returned to the Lord in 1983 and in 1984, Jim married his 2nd wife, Georgia Hale Williams, and they enjoyed 20 wonderful years together. Georgia returned to the Lord in 2004. Then, in 2007, Jim fell in love with the 3rd love of his life, Betty Morgan, who was his constant companion and source of joy and suppor1 in the final year of his life. As a boy, Jim was a member of Mt. Lebanon Presbyterian Church and from these Presbyterian roots, Jim became a lifelong Christian. He was a faithful member of Clairmont Presbyterian Church for more than 40 years serving as Deacon, Elder, and teacher, and he always found time to help those in need. Jim was also a member of the Atlanta Presbytery, serving many years on the Committee on Ministry. Jim is survived by children, Kathryn Suzanne Seifert; Gretchen Seifert Hudson; James Edward Seifert II (Cathy Hancock Seifert); Martha Ann Seifert (Jennifer Mahoney); and Richard Allen Seifert (Linda Austin Seifert), Janet Hale Williams, Sharon Williams Ferrari (Jerry Ferrari), and Melanie L. Williams; Grandchildren, Meredith vonWerssowetz (Shane Saurers), Linda vonWerssowetz, Laurie Hudson, George Hudson, Jenny Hudson, Kevin Seifert (Kelly Seifert), David Seifert, Erin Seifert, Joe Seifert, Richard Austin Seifert, Keaton Williams, Kyle Williams, Lauren Loeffler (Mark Loeffler), Michael Ferrari; brother Richard Lewis Seifert (Lola Seifert) of Louisville, Kentucky; 3 great grandchildren. The funeral will be held at Clairmont Presbyterian Church in Decatur, February 12 at 1 p.m followed by a reception for friends in Milligan Hall .The family will receive visitors at A. S. Turner Funeral Home on February 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. The Seifert family would like to thank Dr. Daniel Dubovsky and the wonderful and caring staff of Hospice Atlanta for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, Hospice Atlanta, Clairmont Presbyterian Church or to the charity of your choice. A. S. Turner & Sons