James R. ("Jim") Teel, retired Petroleum Engineer of Broken Arrow,
Oklahoma peacefully made his transition to heaven surrounded by his family members on February 5, 2013, at the age of 85.
A memorial service for him will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 12 at the Downtown Bixby Church of Christ, 15802 S. Memorial Rd., with pastor Danny Sidders officiating.
Born on August 23, 1927 in Clemscott, Oklahoma Jim graduated from Norman High School and was 17 in 1945 when he joined the U. S. Navy. He was stationed in California, Washington state and Idaho before being honorably discharged from active duty in July 1946 and from the naval reserve in July 1950. In September 1948 he married the love of his life, Crystal Elayne Lamb of Wilson, Oklahoma, with whom he celebrated 60 years of anniversaries commemorating a loving marriage. Jim and Crystal loved the outdoors and invited new adventures and new friends into their lives. They designed and built beautiful homes in Oklahoma, Florida and Arkansas. Avid golfers, they traveled the U.S. in their fifth-wheel, loved to fish, eat seafood and entertain friends and family, but they loved OU football above it all. They were loving parents to two daughters, Vickie and Nita, and life-long dedicated members of the Church of Christ.
From September 1946 to May 1950 Jim attended the University of
Oklahoma, earning a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering. He was a consummate professional who was dedicated to the oil and gas industry. From 1950 to 1977 he held field, staff, and executive positions with Skelly Oil Company in Tulsa, including Manager of Producing Property Acquisitions, Manager of Joint Operations, Manager of Research and Technical Services and Manager of Production.
Throughout his career Jim supported his professional organizations with his membership in the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, American Petroleum Institute (API), Independent Producers Association of America (IPAA), Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Association (RMOGA), and Oklahoma Independent Producers Association (OIPA). After taking early retirement from Skelly Oil Company Jim served as President/CEO of Southern States Petroleum Corporation in Pensacola, Florida, Executive Vice-President and co-founder of Montejas Energy Resources in Aurora, Colorado, President/CEO of East Arkoma Gas Development and Arkansas Gas Transport, Inc in Arkansas before heading his own companies, Teel Petroleum Company and Hydra Press Inc. Preceded in death by his parents Carl and Ruby Teel and his beloved wife Crystal Elayne, Jim is survived by his two daughters, Vickie Teel, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Nita Lundberg, son-in-law Peter Lundberg, grandson Ross Lundberg of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and grandson Chad Lundberg and wife Francie, who are the parents of Jim's two great-grandchildren, Grace, age 7 and Gabriel, age 22 months, of Muskogee, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his brother, Alan Teel and sister-in-law Ouida Teel of Garden City, Idaho and sister-in-law Mary Ann Walker of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Please share your thoughts, condolences and memories with Jim's family at www.moorefuneral.com