Obituary of Rex Teague

Rex Patrick Teague, long-time Tulsa educator and musician, passed away on Friday, March 5, at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Claremore, Oklahoma. He was 91 years old. A funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, at Parkview Baptist Church, followed by a graveside service at Memorial Park Cemetery. A viewing for friends and family will be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, at Ninde Woodland Funeral Home. Rex was born December 30, 1918 in Madill, Oklahoma to Joseph Ebb and Jonnie D. (Blake) Teague; he was the eighth and last child of the family. Rex was raised in Hot Springs, Ark., where he graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1938; soon afterward, he moved to Tulsa. Rex met his wife Joan Fenn at the University of Tulsa in 1946 during, she recalls, the first class of their first semester. They were married on May 30, 1948, and celebrated their sixtieth anniversary in 2008. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 1950 and Master of Teaching Arts in 1962, both from T.U. Rex served stateside in the military as a glider instructor in the Army Air Corps in WWII. He spoke conversational German, which he used while communicating with German POWs. Rex began his career teaching music in 1947 at Marquette High School in Tulsa. He would go on to teach music in Tulsa for a total of 26 years, at both Wilson Jr. High School and Central High School. He also taught vocal and instrumental music in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Rex began teaching at Central in 1956. While at Central, he produced and directed 26 main-stage musical theater productions, including The King and I, Carousel, and Oklahoma!. After 25 years at Central, he retired from teaching in 1981. Several of his students have gone on to become to be music ministers, professional musical entertainers, actors, and theater production professionals. Rex served as choir director in 26 churches over the course of 53 years, and led music for revivals in another 19 churches, as well as serving as a full-time music and education director in two Baptist churches in Tennessee. "He felt that (directing church choirs) was his highest calling in ministry services," said Joan Teague, "but was equally committed to the students that came through his classrooms." He played in the Tulsa Philharmonic as a percussionist for 14 years. In reference to her husband's hobbies, Joan said, "He was too happily busy with music to do anything else!" Rex is preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and three sisters: Arrice, Bert, Gardiner, Joe, "Pet" and Marie Teague, and Jonnie Dee Barrett. He is survived by his wife Joan, his children Patrick J. Teague, Marie Hough, R. Michael Teague, J. Mark Teague, twelve grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please consider gifts to Tulsa Central High School Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 35274,Tulsa, OK 74153-0274 , Alzheimer's Association,6465 S. Yale Ave., Suite 312 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136-7810, Parkview Baptist Church Heritage Foundation, or Parkview Baptist Church's music ministry,5805 South Sheridan Rd, Tulsa Oklahoma 74145.  To make an online donation click the link below:http://www.epartnersingiving.com/rexpatrickteague