Teddy DeLano Riedel

Teddy DeLano Riedel of Quitman, Arkansas, departed this life on September 3, 2014, in Cabot, Arkansas, at the age of 77. He was the son of the late Ted Wilson Riedel and Mabel Quinn Riedel. He was a Christian and a member of South Cross Roads Community Church Teddy's unique style of piano playing was a fixture of Arkansas music for half a century. Born in Quitman in 1937, Teddy began playing on local radio stations and clubs around Searcy and Newport in the 1950s. He toured around the country with Wayne Raney, appearing on KRCG television in Jefferson City, Missouri, WWVA radio in Wheeling, West Virginia, and XERF radio in Del Rio, Texas, among others. Teddy served two years in the armed services. While stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, he entertained audiences in the clubs around El Paso. Teddy wrote and recorded several songs in 1960s. His most famous, Judy, was released by Elvis Presley and stayed several weeks on Billboard's Hot 100. During the 1960s, several of his songs were recorded by country artist Sonny James. Teddy was trained as a professionl piano technician and tuned pianos for over 40 years. When not on stage, he enjoyed raising cattle, working on his tractor, and plowing the garden. His early musical career gave him a love for travel, and he enjoyed the Western states the most. He would often speak fondly of the places he had seen and the people he had met. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rose, of Quitman; daughter, Priscilla Riedel-Cohan and husband, Steven of Houston, Texas; son, Daniel Riedel of Cabot; grandson, Mark Lester, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; other relatives and many, many friends. Visitation will be on Friday, September 5, 2014 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Family Funeral Service, 100 West Searcy Street, Heber Springs, Ark. 72543 501 362-2088 and funeral services will be on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 2 p.m. in South Crossroads Church Hopewell, Ark www.dwightfamilyfuneral.com.