Arthur Seymour, Jr.: A friend, a statesman, a gentleman

Arthur and Susan Seymour in May 2013 on the porch of the library of Sir John Templeton during a trip we took with them to Sewanee, Tennessee.

The sanctuary of the strikingly beautiful St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral was standing room only last Friday afternoon — even with folding chairs set up in the main aisle and along the walls to accommodate the crowd of some 600 people. It was the memorial service for Arthur Seymour, Jr., a longtime member of St. John’s and a well-known and well-respected downtown attorney and civic leader.

Alan and I were not only good friends of Arthur and his wife, Susan, but close business associates, as well. For 20 years or so, we would partner with Arthur when a mutual client needed both public relations and legal services. Most of the time, we were successful in achieving the client’s goals. But, more importantly, we had a great time working together. Arthur was smart and creative and truly funny whether we were meeting socially or preparing to go before one of the local governing bodies such as City Council, County Commission or the Metropolitan Planning Commission. We at Moxley Carmichael treasure the time we spent with Arthur and the great work we did together.

He and Susan appeared on the Blue Streak many times over the 10 years I’ve been doing this blog. This post includes some of the photos of them from previous posts.

The afternoon service last Friday was perfect. Arthur would have loved it. Four friends of his — representing different aspects of his life — paid tribute. And the Very Rev. John C. Ross, the dean and senior pastor at St. John’s, also made moving personal remarks, calling Arthur “an Episcopalian’s Episcopalian” due to his devotion to the church and the faith.

  • Former Knoxville Mayor and Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe grew up with Arthur in the Melrose neighborhood of West Knoxville, now a part of the University of Tennessee campus. He told stories about the two of them as children, including a report of how he, Arthur and other neighborhood kids spent some fun afternoons after school throwing crab apples at passing cars and narrowly avoiding getting into trouble.
  • Former U.S. Attorney John Gill was a member, along with Arthur, of a Knoxville book club called The Irving Club, founded in 1886 and consisting of civic leaders. He described Arthur as a voracious reader and related that Arthur’s library at home had books stacked to the ceiling and on the floor under furniture with a couple more opened and balanced on the arms of an easy chair — the only furniture in the room except book cases. “He might have had a refreshing beverage nearby as he enjoyed the books,” Gill allowed.
  • John P. Williamson of Louisburg, North Carolina, met Arthur in law school at the University of Tennessee. “He had one of the most colorful personalities I’ve ever seen,” he said, telling a story of a time when Arthur was late to meet him after a UT football game. Arthur blamed “heavy traffic.” Williamson questioned one of the women who had been in Arthur’s car at the time. “Was it really heavy traffic?” he asked. “Well,” she said, “I guess the traffic did get a little heavy after Arthur stopped the car in the middle of the street to hand a beer to the sheriff’s officer directing traffic and then ran into those two parked cars!”
  • Matthew Grossman was a law partner of Arthur at the Frantz McConnell & Seymour law firm that Arthur’s grandfather helped establish and where Arthur worked his entire career. “He was the last Southern gentleman lawyer,” Grossman said. “He had eclectic taste and unbridled optimism. He said one of the benefits of being a lawyer was that it gave you a front row seat to the human comedy.” Grossman added that “it was impossible to spend five minutes in Arthur’s company and not come away with a better outlook.”
  • The Very Rev. Ross said that most people do not know who they truly are or what they stand for. Not Arthur. “Arthur knew exactly who he was. As much as anyone I’ve known in my adult life. He was a real person. He was authentic.” Ross added that Arthur really focused on people when he was with them. “He would never look past you at a party to see who else was there,” he said. “He was exceptionally good at relationships.” At St. John’s, Arthur “was an integral part of the church,” Ross said. He volunteered to take communion to the sick and homebound as soon as lay people were allowed to do that. “He adored Knoxville,” Ross said. “Knoxville was part of him.” Ross visited with Arthur and Susan quite a bit during his brief bout with the cancer that took his life on March 11. He said Arthur told him, “I’ve had a good life.”

Arthur and Susan “cutting the rug” in 2012 at the 70th birthday party of former Knoxville City Councilman Larry Cox at Kerbela Temple.

It seems that everyone has an Arthur story. Litton’s restaurant in Fountain City paid tribute to him shortly after his death with a message on its sign: “RIP Arthur S.” Matthew McClellan, proprietor of the men’s clothing store bearing his name in Bearden, says Arthur was a regular there on Saturday mornings. He always held court in an easy chair in the store. McClellan plans to have a commemorative plaque with Arthur’s name put on that chair.

Knox County Commission Chair Hugh Nystrom at a meeting last month called for a moment of silence in honor of  Arthur, referring to him as “a fixture, a legend, an institution.” Nystrom described him as a “passionate advocate” for his clients. “He’s been in this building for 20 years in front of County Commission, City Council and the Metropolitan Planning Commission.”

Commissioner Brad Anders called Arthur “a friend, a statesman and a gentleman to everyone whether or not you opposed him.” Commissioner Richie Beeler called him “a great friend and a great thinker.”

Said Commissioner Charles Busler, “He was always not just pushing for development, but pushing for good development. We will miss him greatly.” Commissioner John Schoonmaker said, “I considered him almost a 12th commissioner. His attendance was phenomenal.”

At the memorial service, it made me smile to hear Grossman recount the last words Arthur said to him. They were words he often said as he parted ways with someone: “Have fun!”

Victor Ashe and Arthur at a New Year’s Eve party in 2017 at the John H. Daniel Company.

Alan Carmichael and Susan Seymour at the same party.

Dorothy Stair with Arthur at the Knoxville Museum of Art in 2015 at the wedding of her son, Marshall Stair, and Natalie Robinson.

Alan, Arthur and former Knoxville Mayor Daniel Brown at the Green Thumb Gala at the Knoxville Botanical Garden in 2015.

Alan and Arthur on New Year’s Eve 2013 at a party at Bette and Richard Bryan’s house.

Arthur with a dogwood tree during our trip to Sewanee in 2013.

At Crossroads Cafe in Sewanee in 2013.

Those little figures are Alan and Arthur outside the Kappa Sigma fraternity house where Arthur was the grand master during his undergraduate days at the University of the South in Sewanee. Arthur said he and his friends used to go there “to relax after a day of studies and hours at the library.”

Terry and former Knox County Commissioner Thomas “Tank” Strickland with Arthur at the Green Thumb Gala in 2012.

Arthur with Sherri Lee at Symphony in the Park at Ijams Nature Center in 2012.

Arthur and Susan with state Sen. Becky Massey at the Front Page Follies in 2012 at the Knoxville Convention Center.

Susan and Arthur with former Knoxville City Councilman Gary Underwood and Karen Schnupp at Larry Cox’s birthday party in 2012.

At Gov. Bill Haslam’s inauguration in Nashville in 2011.

Arthur with Norman Majors at a welcome reception for new University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro at the Convention Center in 2011.

Arthur and Susan at a New Year’s Day party in 2012 at the home of Madge and Barry Cleveland.

Happy 2012!

 

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14 Responses to Arthur Seymour, Jr.: A friend, a statesman, a gentleman

  1. Alan Carmichaela, on April 9th, 2019 at 11:07 am said:

    Arthur was a special person. He had many friends that will miss him very much. He was Knoxville in many respects, the best traits of Knoxville. I am surprised you were able to photograph Arthur so many times without his trademark hat.

  2. Rachel Ford, on April 9th, 2019 at 2:11 pm said:

    Arthur was a great gentleman and a lover of the arts. He was a faithful attendee for KSO Masterworks concerts and we will miss him being in our audience. I’m glad I had the chance to know and work with him.

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on April 9th, 2019 at 2:15 pm said:

    Alan: I agree about how special he was. There is a huge hole in the Knoxville community now.

    Rachel: I was so glad to share his involvement with the KSO with him. And the fact that the KSO was represented at his beautiful service with a fabulous quartet made the day so much more special. Thanks for your thoughtfulness in providing that lovely touch.

  4. Larry G. Cox, on April 9th, 2019 at 2:59 pm said:

    I think Alan summed it up about Arthur, “He was a special person”. I use to really enjoy the City Council meetings when Arthur would take the podium for his client, because you knew it was going to be an enjoyable evening with a lot of wit and humor from a very intelligent and honorable lawyer. I will always cherish the friendship which I had with Arthur over the years and appreciate his role as a leader in our City of Knoxville

  5. Sharon Laing, on April 9th, 2019 at 3:02 pm said:

    Beautiful tribute to a great friend. Arthur and Susan are special people.

  6. Patrick Birmingham, on April 9th, 2019 at 3:35 pm said:

    I didn’t know Arthur as long as some, in fact we first crossed paths in January of 2018 when Covenant Health retained his services to help us with a zoning issue.

    Arthur was always the consummate Southern gentleman and lawyer, but he was also fun, just like his parting adieus. He was always so warm and considerate of not only me, but others in our organization.

    He will certainly be missed…

  7. Cynthia Moxley, on April 9th, 2019 at 4:05 pm said:

    Larry: Obviously, Arthur cared a lot about you, as well. And he sure did seem to enjoy your birthday party!

    Sharon: Thanks. They are the best.

    Patrick: I’m so glad you got a chance to know Arthur. You could see in that short time what a great community asset he was.

  8. Georgiana Vines, on April 9th, 2019 at 4:18 pm said:

    I learned a lot about him at the celebration of life service, as it is called in the Episcopal Church. Very layered individual. More than the timeless fedora hats.

  9. Gayle Bustin, on April 9th, 2019 at 5:04 pm said:

    This tribute to Arthur is perfect. I will miss him each and every month during the Planning Commission Meetings- he was always very respectful and thoughtful even though at times we may have disagreed. His colorful personality brightened up the stark room. He will be missed.

  10. James A. H. Bell, on April 9th, 2019 at 5:35 pm said:

    This is a message to Arthur in heaven. “Have fun. We hope to catch up later”.

  11. Celeste Herbert, on April 9th, 2019 at 10:55 pm said:

    This is a great tribute. The service had the perfect combination of serious and humorous moments, just like Arthur. We were adversaries several times over the years and I will always remember those cases.

  12. Cynthia Moxley, on April 9th, 2019 at 11:43 pm said:

    Georgiana: I learned a lot about him, too. It was a great assortment of folks from different aspects of his life. Very interesting.

    Gayle: I don’t see how the Planning Commission can ever be the same. Thanks for your kind remarks.

    James: Your comment brought tears to my eyes.

    Celeste: I can’t think of a more worthy opponent for Arthur than you!

  13. Mimi Turner, on April 11th, 2019 at 5:49 pm said:

    Wonderful tribute!

  14. Katie Kline, on April 12th, 2019 at 9:50 am said:

    Cynthia – Thanks for a wonderful tribute column. Arthur’s friends described him perfectly. When I was with Moxley Carmichael, I had the opportunity to work closely with Arthur on a large project involving a vote from County Commission. As you know, we worked nights and weekends with Arthur and during that time we became friends. When I left MC, Arthur stayed in touch with me, which meant a lot to me. What I believe is if you were friend of Arthur’s, you were a friend for life. That’s quite a feat for anyone. He is missed.

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