O'Neal Teague

O'Neal Fair Teague, 85 year old Vinita resident, died May 27, 2009 in his home, after an extended illness. He was born in Valliant, Oklahoma on May 16, 1924 to Doc O'Neal and Josephine (Fair) Teague. He and Ruby Thelma Anderson were united in marriage on October 28, 1948. Right after their marriage O'Neal & Ruby were baptized by the same minister who married them as they "wanted to start their married life off right." Their marriage and lives were dedicated to their Lord. O'Neal served in the US Army Paratroopers during WW II where he re-supplied our soldiers who were cut off behind enemy lines. He received an Air Medal and Army Good Conduct Medal. Upon returning from Europe he graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1951 where he would eventually earn a Masters Degree in Rural Adult Education. He was employed for 33 years by the OSU Extension Service where he served in McIntosh County as a 4-H Agent, Seminole County as a 4-H Agent and Special Farm Agent to 25 specific farms, Haskell County as a 4-H Agent and Extension Director. The last 15 years of his career were as Craig County OSU Extension Director where he retired in 1981. O'Neal pioneered a new type of junior livestock show (carcass evaluation) first in Haskell County and then in Craig County in the mid 60's. This livestock show would be duplicated all over the United States. The revolutionary, new program required the animals be slaughtered and measured for red meat compared to fat. In order to win this show the participants had to change the way they fed their animals and the way the animals were selected. The 4-H Club members could see the difference in this educational program and some of the animals were worth as much as $200 more per head. He also established the Craig County Forage Council which consisted of local farmers, ranchers and businessmen. The program helped reduce the cost of wintering beef cattle and increased the carrying capacity of many acres. It introduced major changes in pasture use in Craig County and surrounding areas. O'Neal received the prestigious Myrl Gray Memorial Award from Oklahoma State University for introducing this program. He was a Deacon in The Vinita First Baptist Church for 25 years, served on the Board of Emmanuel Temple Church for years, After he retired he oversaw the funding and planting of over 600 trees on the streets and cemetery of Vinita. He was recognized as an Honorary Chapter Farmer for the Stigler Future Farmers of America, was named to the Vinita Chamber of Commerce in their Hall of Fame in 1992 and was inducted in the Valliant High School Hall of Fame in the early 90's. He was a member of the Lions Club in each community he resided. He visited prisons in Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia in association with Bill Glass Ministries and worked to recruit children to ride the Emmanuel Temple bus. The family includes: his wife Ruby of the home, a sister; Bobbie Wood of Mountain Home, AK; two sons, (Bobby) Neal Teague and wife Faye of Dallas, Gene O'Neal Wyatt and wife Vicki of Medford, Oregon; three daughters, Geralene Oleson and husband Jerald of Clarksville, WA, Zella Cantrell and husband Gary of Orofino, ID and Lynnda Sooter and husband Jimmie of Vinita, OK; grandchildren include, Don, Steven, Brian Boyles, Debra Pfaff, Caren Adams, Eric, Adam, Samuel Sooter, Danial Cooper, Rebecca Cooper, Dede Macy, Gina Gilbert, Troy Wyatt, Tracy Wyatt ; 27 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were both parents, five sisters, one brother, grandson Mark Boyles and son-in-law Donald Boyles. The funeral service will be held in the First Baptist Church of Vinita on Saturday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Bruce Butler officiating with interment or follow in the Ft. Towson Cemetery near Hugo, OK under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home.. Memorials may be made in O'Neal's name to the Craig County 4-H Foundation, 210 W. Delaware, Suite107, Vinita, OK 74301. Online condolences can be made at honoringmemories.com

Service Details

Saturday, May 30th, 2009 10:00am, First Baptist Church-Vinita

Interment Details

Ft. Towson Cemetery