Jim Teele

James “Jim” Edward Teele, beloved father, grandfather, friend, and general mischief-maker, took his final flight on November 15, 2024, after a long and colorful life that he lived to the fullest.

Jim was married to Bonna Teele for fifty-four years and was the father of six children, Debby, Amy, Susan, William, Candace and Jaime. He leaves behind enough grandchildren and great-grandchildren to populate a small planet.

Jim was born the second of four children on a farm in Albia, Iowa, on November 29, 1936. He learned about hard work, harsh winters, and the heartless injustice of being last to make it in the family bath water night after night. After his father returned from voluntary service in World War II, Jim and his family relocated to North Hollywood where they enjoyed indoor plumbing and the antics of next-door neighbor, Steve McQueen. It was there that Jim took his place in the North Hollywood High School orchestra with a trombone in hand and developed a deep love for music of all genres. From there, he marched straight into the United States Air Force, as a member of the Air Force Band, he hit the high notes while learning the ins and outs of electronics. Upon leaving the service, Jim went to work for the post office for a short time in North Hollywood where he met many stars while delivering certified mail and scripts, of which he later shared many a tale. James joined the team at North American Aviation, where he worked on the iconic North American XB-70 Valkyrie Bomber. He would proudly tell anyone within earshot that he was part of one of the coolest planes ever to hit the skies (except for the one he built, of course). Not just a man of machines, Jim also had the courage to confront the ugly gears of prejudice, playing a pivotal role in dismantling a large white supremacist organization in California during the 1960s. He was always on the side of justice and had a rebellious nature that made it easy for him to go against the crowd and do the right thing.

In the late 1960s, Jim took his skills to Waco, Texas, where he began teaching at Texas State Technical Institute. Over the years, he became a mentor to thousands of students, teaching the ins and outs of electronic vending machine repair, computer maintenance, and assisting them in finding employment.

Outside of his professional life, Jim was the very definition of a Renaissance man. He was an accomplished race car builder and driver, a motorcycle racer, the pilot of an airplane he built in his own workshop, harmonica blower, and professional fun-haver. He performed with local bands, most notably with Classie Ballou, where his love for music and penchant for being the life of the party shone through. Because of an assumed genetic mutation, Jim was unable to remain quiet for more than about twenty seconds. He would often burst into song or could be heard in his mancave lecturing to the tv show characters about their poor life choices. Every trip to the bathroom or kitchen was a Broadway production, as he usually bebopped, shimmied, or fox trotted his way through the house, even when he thought no one was looking. He found every moment an opportunity for personal entertainment. He enjoyed making noise with every kind of instrument he could get his hands on, and once tortured the family with some sort of washboard apparatus whose shriek could peel the enamel off the Space Station.

Jim was a proud member of the California Racing Association, National Rifle Association (NRA), the Music Association of Central Texas, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), Lions Club, and was a staunch supporter of the McLennan County Sheriff’s Department.

Jim was the kind of man who read his children bedtime stories, took his grandchildren on adventures, and made it unclear who the actual child was most times, as he never got any older than twelve years old, despite his age.

Jim lived the majority of his life being very healthy, rarely even having a sniffle. There was an ugly rumor circulating at one time that James ate a vegetable, which we can categorically deny. He was fueled by Oreos and gravy, a lean mean napping machine, with only one recorded instance of him running.

Jim leaves behind family and friends that loved him dearly, countless students whose lives he touched, and more than a few unfinished projects in the garage. He will be deeply missed, but we take comfort in knowing he is at peace and no longer sick or in pain. Jim accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, and we are certain he has been appointed as Director of Entertainment, is racing through the heavens, cracking jokes with the angels, has started a band, and is halfway through his first harmonica solo. Fly high, James Edward Teele—you’ve earned your wings.

In lieu of flowers, Jim would want donations made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project.