Alvin Utah Seals of Iowa City, Iowa, passed away at the V.A. Medical Center in Iowa City, Iowa, on July 15, 2026, with his family at his bedside.

Alvin was born on December 17, 1942, in Scotlandville, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, to Hyrd and Bessie Wilson Seals. Alvin completed his early education in the Public school system in 1960 in Syracuse, New York. Alvin went on to attend Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Alvin was forced to take a break from college in 1965 to enlist in the United States Army. During his enlistment, Alvin was trained as a Vietnamese linguist at the Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, California. Alvin was honorably discharged from the military in 1969. Alvin returned to Fisk after his military discharge to complete his college degree, and there he met and married on September 5, 1970, Earie Jean Williams of West Helena, Arkansas. They made their way to Iowa City in 1970 and were greeted by the corn stalks growing in the center aisle along with the gas pumps on Dubuque Street!

Alvin worked in a variety of positions in personnel, initially with Harnisfiger Corporation in Cedar Rapids, IA, followed by Sunstrand Corporation and Barber Coleman Company both in Rockford, IL, before returning to Iowa and being employed at the University of Iowa as a recruiter. Alvin went on to spend 21 years employed by the Iowa City Postal Service. To Alvin, there were no strangers, so he 'loved' meeting and greeting the variety of customers from many parts of the world who daily frequented his window. His love of people and his ability to find some common ground with those whom he met was evident in his spiritual life as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, as he spent time sharing Bible truths with many in the local community as long as his health permitted.

Alvin loved reading, talking, and sharing life experiences with friends and family. But one of his greatest pastimes was eating the cooking of his wife. Alvin was able to travel to Vietnam with his daughter, which was one of the highlights of his life.

Alvin is survived by his wife of 56 years, Earie; his three daughters: Aisha Seals, Karimah(Mark)Laster, Vida Seals, his two sons: Kwesi Seals, Shakir Seals; a brother, Shelton Seals; two grandsons, James and Makhi; and three granddaughters: Raven, D'lylah and Kianna. Alvin has many nieces and nephews and in-laws who will miss him dearly.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents and his five older brothers.

The Seals Family extends a heartfelt thank you to many departments at the VA Medical Center for caring for Alvin through the years. To the Dialysis staff, Hospice Team, Wound Team, and Primary Care Team, and many others -

A Memorial Service is scheduled for September 12, 2026 @ 3:00 pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, located at 2923 Northgate Drive, Iowa City, IA.

In lieu of flowers, a general memorial fund has been established for those wishing to make a donation in Alvin's name.