John Thomas “Big John” Seay, 88, of Franklin passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2014.

Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late Arvey Bedford Seay and Mary Leona Williams Seay. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Myrtle Sanders Seay who died February 23, 2011; son, Larry “LeRoy” Seay who died March 1, 2002 and an infant son; brothers, Norman, Roger, Lewis, Howard; sisters, Doris Evitt, Ella Mae Ledford, Margie Stiwinter and infant sister, Mary Burdell Seay. He was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church where he was a deacon and member of the choir and was a US Navy veteran of WWII. John was an avid Franklin Panther fan and was instrumental in starting Little League Baseball in Franklin.

He is survived by three children, Kenny Seay and wife Annie, Diane Hooper and husband Frank and Wanda Ledford and husband Tony all of Franklin; sister, Frances Teague and husband Vic of Franklin; brother, James Clarence “Red” Seay and wife Judy of Hendersonville; five grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held at 11a.m. Saturday, April 19, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Steve Reeves, Rev. Tommy Fouts, Rev. Mark Bishop and Dr. Jeff Hensley will officiate. Burial will be in the Ridgecrest Baptist Church Cemetery with military rites conducted by the VFW Post 7339 and the American Legion Post 108.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 18, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Tony Ledford, Bryan Hooper, Tracy Hooper, Lane Hooper, John Michael Seay and Jason Drake.

Nephews will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com