Thomas J. Teague

Thomas J. “Tom” Teague, 61, of Springfield, died at 8:56 p.m. Saturday, September 11, 2004 at his home. Thomas was born September 11, 1943 in Kansas City, MO the son of James Howard and Joyce Springer Teague. He married Beth Standley, August 31, 1991 at St. James Catholic Church in Decatur. Mr. Teague was a graduate of Simpson College in Indianola, IA. He taught high school for two years in Danville before enlisting in the Army. He qualified for the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. graduating with honors from the extended program in Russian language. He was stationed in Germany, assigned to translate intercepted Russian communications as a Russian Intelligence Analyst. Following military service he attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, then he received a masters degree in Public Affairs Reporting from Sangamon State University. He was employed as the Public Information Officer for the Department of Children and Family Services; he retired in 2001 after 29 years of service. He was later employed as Executive Director for the Illinois State Historical Society for 3/12 years retiring in July 2004. He was the founder and first president of the Route 66 Association of Illinois; he established and was first editor of The 66 News of Illinois. He conceived the Route 66 Hall of Fame located at the Beeler’s Dixie Truckers Home in McLean. He started the Soulsby Station Society of Mount Olive to fund the restoration of this original Shell Station on Historic Route 66. After substantial volunteer effort the station was recognized by the National Park Service as one of the best restoration projects of its kind. Therefore, Soulsby Station, was designated a National Historic Landmark. This summer Tom’s grant proposal was fully funded for further structural repairs. Tom was a Roads Scholar who conducted many Route 66 bus tours and gave talks on Route 66 to numerous organizations including County Historical Society’s, public libraries, and Elderhostels. Tom self published a book in the spring of 1991; 'Searching For 66' where he acknowledged his wife, Beth for enjoying each day with him. In March 0f 1996 he came out with a second edition which has since sold approximately 15, 000 copies. Tom was one of the early Executive directors of the Central Illinois Blues Club and was currently serving as treasurer. Tom was on the boards of the Downtown Springfield, Inc., the Springfield Arts Council and various other boards. Tom and his Army buddies have been having a Thanksgiving reunion since 1972. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife: Beth of Springfield; one son: Sean (wife, Danielle) Teague of Seattle, WA; two sisters: Rosalind Richardson of Kansas City, MO, Jill (husband, Kenneth) Shuck of Prescott, AZ; two half sisters: Tammy (husband, Michael) Stack of Kansas City, MO, Elizabeth of CA; one half brother: Howard Teague of Kansas City, KS and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 5-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2004 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Funeral Services will be at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, September 16, 2004 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield with John Kelso officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Scholarship Fund in Memory of Thomas Teague, c/o Routt Catholic High School, 500 E. College Jacksonville, IL 62650 (make checks payable to Routt Education Foundation) or Illinois Veterans’ Home, 1707 N. 12th St., Quincy, IL 62301. The family of Thomas J. “Tom” Teague is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.