James D. Teague III

Funeral services for Jim will be held Monday, April 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Bibb-Veach Funeral Home and Crematory in Bowling Green. Visitation will be Sunday, April 14, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Jim Teague, age 78 years and six days went peacefully to be with Jesus early in the morning on April 11, 2024. If you talked lately with Jim you know he had plenty of questions—that have now all been answered—and he is no longer pondering the end of time or the whys, wherefores, and timing of past and future events. Just within the past week he told me that during his shower the Lord intensely impressed upon him that, “Your son is looking forward to seeing you.” (He didn’t know if that meant it was his time to go, or just for information’s sake.) The next day I assured him that if he went before me that I would be okay. He is now with Jesus where he sincerely wanted to be if his work here was completed. You know that recently his conversation was more about heaven than earth! Jim was born April 5, 1946, to James and Genevieve (Wright) Teague in St. Louis, Missouri but his family moved to the farm when he was very young. He attended Eolia School until it consolidated, and he then attended Clopton until his high school graduation in 1964. The following is what Jim wrote for his 50th class reunion memory book in 2016: I enrolled at Central Methodist College in the fall following graduation (1964) then transferred to Culver-Stockton College the next year. College there was interrupted by time in the military but returned to complete my BS in Business Economics in 1971. I enlisted in the Navy while at Culver-Stockton; after boot camp and a year of reserve duty was sent for active duty from 1967-1969 – stationed most of that time in Guam and Vietnam on the USS Porterfield. After returning to Culver-Stockton from active duty, I continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until 1976. In 1974 I married Linda Vance and we moved to Chula Vista, CA for several months before returning to Missouri. We have two children – both Clopton graduates – Nathan (1993) and Anna (1995). I am grandfather to three grandchildren (Ruby, Willow, and Miles) who live near Springfield, MO. Although at various times I was employed by Cuivre River Electric Coop and Magruder Limestone Co. most of the time I have been self-employed in sales and/or farming. Several years more recently were spent as the caregiver for elderly family members, including my mom who passed away in 2012 just a few months before what would have been her 100th birthday. My dad died in 1983 after a short battle with cancer. My experience of knowing God has its beginning while serving in the U.S. Navy off the coast of Vietnam. My study of different beliefs only added to the confusion which depleted the peace I so wanted. So looking up (not a fox-hole experience) I stated, “Jesus, if You are there, reveal yourself in my life.” The peace started to be felt very deeply in the days that followed. Later I realized that what happened was not an audible voice but an awareness that the Lord was saying He had answered what I asked! This experience created an appreciation for His love that I knew would never be forgotten. Coming back from military service and completing college, I started a job which became interrupted with the Jesus Movement in California. I was touched by their honesty and boldness to witness. Leaving my job after only a little more than a year, I began my journey to California to investigate those involved in the movement which claimed to be all about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Driving from San Francisco to Chula Vista I communicated with many who were very excited about receiving the Holy Spirit after they believed. Although I couldn’t remember having this experience, I could see it definitely had a great effect on the lives of the recipients. I involved myself in the First Baptist Church of Chula Vista which was experiencing a spiritual awakening through this prayer to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It was a church opening its doors to those from the drug and hippie culture who desired to be a part of a community of believers. Homes were opened by church members to disciple and grow those who decided the only way to grow spiritually was to grow with one another. It was during this period I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and experienced a whole new life in the gifts of the Holy Spirit – What joy and peace! I have encountered much more on this journey, but this foundation has been very important to all I have and am presently experiencing! My focus now is on building unity within the body of Christ. As everyone knows Jim’s heart was to share Jesus with others and for believers (and churches) to come to a place of unity. He regularly attended men’s prayer groups from several local churches and for many years as far away as Chesterfield. I actually thought about just having all the pastors he knew and loved be the pallbearers—but there were too many! His other love has been volunteering in the prison which he has been doing since shortly after it was built—so probably close to 25 years. The past couple months he has been unable to attend because of sciatic issues and just this past week the offenders from one of the groups all signed a card which was delivered the morning of his death. I’m sure they will also be sensing a great sense of loss compounded by their inability to be among you today. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and our son, Nathan. Besides me he is survived by our daughter Anna and her husband Paul Coroleuski of Springfield, MO, our three grandchildren—Ruby Infante of Sacramento, CA, Willow Infante and Miles Infante, both of Springfield, MO, his sister Virginia and her husband Gary VanWinkle of Dallas, TX plus so many cousins and nieces and nephews. I also want to acknowledge that most of you were touched by Jim’s life in a special way and will also grieve the loss of his presence in your day-to-day lives. Some of you in this room have known him longer than I have. The pallbearers are Miles Infante, Walt Gregory, Lance VanWinkle, Norm Bennett, Melvin Motley, and Allen Lockard. Thank you to Pastor Greg Wyble—one of those who has know Jim longer than me—and Pastor Mike Dallas of Refuge Church here in Bowling Green. Thank you to our friend, Phebe Tutt and granddaughter Ruby Infante for the music. Memorials can be made to Transformation Prayer Ministry, PO Box 80056, Simpsonville, SC 29680 or Voice of the Martyrs, 1815 SE Bison Rd., Bartlesville, OK 74006. Online condolences may be left at www.bibbveach.com.

James D. Teague III

April 5, 1946 - April 11, 2024