Carl Ray Seale

Oct. 16, 1935 – Aug. 4, 2022

Carl Ray Seale passed away on Aug. 4, 2022 at Wellbrooke in Crawfordsville following a brief illness.

He was born on Oct. 16, 1935 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia to Carl and Mary Osborne Seale.  He was their only child. 

He married Patricia Kidwell in the First Christian Church in Sullivan, Ill. on Aug. 15, 1965.  They had three children, Carla Lynne, who was a full-term stillbirth, Kevin Lee and Michael David.

In high school he played trombone in the band.  In his Senior year, he played first trombone in the Virginia All-State Band.

After high school graduation, he went to the University of Kentucky, where he majored in Chemistry.  After graduating from Kentucky, he entered the seminary at Wheaton College, where he earned his Master of Divinity.  He later earned a Master’s degree in chemistry from Purdue University.

While he was at the University of Kentucky, he and eleven friends bought a small airplane- an Aeronca Champ, and took flying lessons.  He pursued an aviation interest up to becoming a multi-engine and instrument instructor.  He helped start the Montgomery County Civil Air Patrol and was an Indiana Civil Air Patrol check pilot.

After receiving his Master of Divinity degree, he was invited to join the faculty of the chemistry department as a full-time instructor.  While teaching at Wheaton, he felt very strongly that one of his gifts was teaching young people, so he and Pat moved to Crawfordsville in August, 1966 for him to teach chemistry at Crawfordsville High School.  He continued to teach at Crawfordsville H.S. until the fall of 1971 when he accepted a position as a Chemistry teacher and Science Department chairman at the new North Montgomery High School, where he retired in 2001.  In the fall of 1992, he was selected by the Indiana Department of Education to be one of six teachers to receive the Milken National Educator Award in the Spring of 1993.  This was the first year for Indiana to be part of this program.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church; he served on the Board of Deacons, the Board of Christian Education, and the Board of Trustees.  He taught the high school class for several years.  He was a member of the Open Door Class and Keenagers.

In planning his retirement, he built a woodworking shop to accommodate his interests.  When time permitted, he enjoyed doing woodworking projects.  He also enjoyed gardening, especially when the weather cooperated.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Carla Lynne; six brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; several nieces; and a nephew.

Survivors include his wife; his son, Kevin of Crawfordsville and his son, Mike (Cecilia) of Columbia, Ky; three sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 4 – 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7 and a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 8 with burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery North.  All services will be at Burkhart Funeral Home, 201 West Wabash Avenue, Crawfordsville.  Pastors Brian Holt and Isaac Zull will conduct the service.

Memorials may be sent to the Open Door Class at First Baptist Church, 1905 Lebanon Road, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.