Carl Teague

Carl Teague, Jr., 90, died April 4. He was born February 18, 1929, near Buckner in Lafayette County, one of fifteen children born to a sharecropper and his wife, LC and Mary Ash Teague. He served with the Fifth Corps Army Artillery, communications section of Headquarters Company, near Frankfurt, Germany, for two years during the Korean War. The only one of his siblings to graduate college, he attended night school on the GI bill for six years and earned a Business degree from Southern Arkansas University. He worked with Arkansas Power and Light in several Arkansas cities, and in early adulthood wired houses on weekends to earn extra money for his family. He graduated from lineman to manager, retiring at age 55. He pursued interests in General Motors dealerships, farming, oil production, and land. He served in numerous civic clubs and was president of the Dumas Lions Club and president of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce, where he was honored as Man of the Year in 1976. In addition, he served as chairman of the deacons at First Baptist Church Dumas and was a 32nd Degree Mason. Carl Teague was a man among men, larger than life. Known by his family both as Big Daddy and Superman, he left an indelible impression on all he met. People who heard the hilarious stories of his adventures and sayings often repeated them to others. He always retained a will to learn and uncommon physical strength, working out at the Hot Springs YMCA even this year. He possessed practical wisdom, a can-do spirit, and a never-failing sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Sue Franklin Teague, originally of Stamps, mother of Jeff, Dennis, and Evan. He is survived by his wife, Joan Hammons Teague; sons Jeff (Sarah) of El Dorado, Dennis (Martha), and Evan of Little Rock; grandsons Christopher (Lindsey), Justin, David, and Jeffery, and great-grandson Ben. Other survivors are Joan's children Tony (Kelli) Almond of St. Louis, Russell (Stacey) Almond of Monroe, Glenda Smoke of Ruston; sisters Shirley Steadman and Betty Sue (Dan) Allen, and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are grandsons Christopher, Justin, David, and Jeffery Teague, Austin Almond and nephew Anthony Knighton. Honorary pallbearers are grandson Nicholas Almond and the Sam Wendell Sunday School Class of Hot Springs Baptist Church, where he was a member. To honor his life with a donation, please consider the Carl and Sue Teague Business Endowment through Southern Arkansas University Foundation. Special thanks to the staff at St. Vincent's Hospital ICU in Hot Springs, especially Tami and Sierra. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home in Hot Springs, followed by service at 11, conducted by Revs. Joel Moody and Manley Beasley. Burial will be at 4 p.m. at Lakeside Cemetery in Stamps. Guest may register at www.caruth-hale.com.