Seastrand's life celebrated

      To those who knew James Seastrand, his death marked the passing of a spiritual giant, a man who invested in his beliefs in God, family and country.
      The hundreds of people who came to bury Seastrand on Friday celebrated his life with tears and fond smiles, taking comfort in his enduring legacy of community and religious service.
      Seastrand, 68, was mayor of North Las Vegas for 16 years and a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
      "To the church, he was a dedicated servant of Christ," said former Clark County Commissioner Jay Bingham, who looked to Seastrand as a role model. "In the community, he always worked to change things for the better. And to his family and everyone who knew him personally, he'll be a hero in their eyes forever."
      Seastrand died Sunday, after collapsing during a religious conference at the Las Vegas Baha'i Center. His family said it was a fitting end -- Seastrand was deeply religious, and represented his faith in several ways. He had served as a bishop, president of the North Las Vegas Stake, a regional representative of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chairman of the Las Vegas Temple Committee. At the time of his death, he was the mission leader for his ward.
      "As a young boy he committed himself, and mother did too, to serving the Lord," said Gareth Seastrand of his younger brother. "Jim was born well, lived well, and died at the will of a loving, heavenly Father."
      Services for Seastrand were at the North Las Vegas Stake Center of the Mormon Church. The center, which can seat about 1,000 people, was almost at capacity. North Las Vegas police officers, area politicians and friends waited to sign books of condolence.
      Flowers cascaded from every open space. One arrangement came from Lake Mead Hospital and Medical Center, a facility Seastrand worked to keep in North Las Vegas during his years as mayor. Other cards bore the name of professional organizations and city departments, businesses, and family friends. American Fork (Utah) High School's Class of 1947 sent a remembrance, as did the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Las Vegas.
      "A lot of times, people will ask me if I'm related to Jim Seastrand," Russell Seastrand said. "I'll say 'yes, I'm his son.' And they'll go on to relate some experience they had with him that we had never heard about. He was always the kind of man who looked out for the underdog. He'd find the people behind the VIPs to thank them or say something nice."
      Seastrand's life brought him into contact with a cross-section of people and causes. As a mayor, he helped initiate Make a Difference Day, which took city employees into the community for service work. He also was a Mormon chaplain in the Air Force. Nevada honored him in 1990 as the Public Official of the Year. In their home, the Seastrand family had an open place for someone at the dinner table every Sunday, which was usually filled.
      "We never knew who was coming to dinner," said son Scott Seastrand. "The world needs more Jim Seastrands. I hope to be more like him."
      All the tributes and memories had a common theme. Seastrand's colleagues said he lived public and private life the same way -- with focus, attention to detail, humor and integrity.
      "So deep was his understanding of people, that he was always understood," said family friend Sam Aston. "His desire was to do the right thing."