Jerry Rudolph Seay, 81, of Williamsburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026, and will be deeply missed. Jerry was born in Newport News on March 3, 1945, to Richard Kossuth and Tressey Jane Seay.

At Newport News High School (1963), Jerry participated on both the track and cross-country teams. He was part of a mile relay team that broke the state record, and he never slowed down after that. After graduating from the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School (1968), where he received the Neil Christian Award for craftsmanship, Jerry excelled during his 44-year-long career as a shipfitter/supervisor at the Newport News Shipyard, retiring in 2008. He was a member of the Progressive club, the Mariners club, and the Pi Sigma Phi fraternity. Even more memorably, Jerry was the kind of person who would always show up for you—never missing his granddaughter’s field hockey games, enjoying weekly lunches with his daughter, and helping his son move across the country just one more time. Jerry could always be counted on for his big heart, bigger sneezes, and colorful turns of phrase.

After 1967, he was seldom seen without his beloved wife of 59 years, Judith (Jones) Seay, with whom he shared countless adventures, including riding the New York City bus, attending the annual Army-Navy game with friends, and dreaming big on countless lottery tickets. With his many friends and extended family members, Jerry loved to show off his skills as an outdoorsman, hunting every manner of critter from squirrel to snake, fishing, and gardening.

He was always willing to lend a helping hand and could be counted on whenever someone needed him. However, Jerry’s greatest pride was the family who survives him, including his wife, Judy; daughter, Kim Leigh Seay; son, Daniel Jason Seay (Asha Sarma); grandchildren Alexis Ryan Kahler (Wiley), Mira Pearl Seay, and Rohan Graham Seay; and great-grandson, Kasen Wyatt Kahler. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lemuel  Hugh “Sonny” Seay. His love for his family, his generosity, and the many memories he created with those he loved will be deeply missed and forever treasured.

The Seay Family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Sentara Hospice for their two years of loving, compassionate care, as well as to Teresa, Tumarro, and Tonya who made it possible for him to be cared for at home. In addition, they would like to thank Drs. Wiseman, Ramirez, Sam, Trotter and their staff.

The family will receive friends from 2-3:30 PM, Saturday, September 19, 2026, at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to The York County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 532, Yorktown, VA 23690.