Rev. George Everett Teague, 87, of Syracuse, N.Y., passed away on March 8 after a brief illness. As both a pastor and a denominational leader for the Church of the Nazarene International, Rev. Teague and his wife Eileen had lived in Syracuse, N.Y. for nearly 33 years.
George Everett Teague was born on Nov. 3, 1921 to Kendall and Celia Ludwig Teague of Waldoboro. After several years in both dairy and retail businesses, he went on to graduate from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Mass. It was on the ENC campus that he met Eileen Scott of Lisbon, Ohio. They were married on Aug. 15, 1946. They moved to Kansas City, Mo. where George attended and subsequently graduated from Nazarene Theological Seminary. George and Eileen served churches in Kendall, N.J., Fairfield, and Concord, N.H., before accepting the pastorate of Syracuse First Church of the Nazarene. After serving the Syracuse congregation with distinction for four years, the Teagues moved to Maryland to pastor Baltimore First Church of the Nazarene. During their tenure in Baltimore, Md., they led the congregation in a major relocation and building effort.
Throughout their years of pastoral ministry, George and Eileen worked as a team and always left behind strong, growing congregations whenever they had to move on to another assignment. As an affirmation of their effective pastoral leadership for over 30 years, Rev. Teague was appointed as Superintendent of the Upstate New York District of the Church of the Nazarene, a leadership position he held for 11 years. He also served on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater Eastern Nazarene College for 14 years.
In 1991, Rev. and Mrs. Teague chose to retire in Syracuse, N.Y. and remained in their beloved home for 18 more years until his recent passing. In those early years of retirement, Rev. Teague served as the Director of Development at Faith Heritage Christian School in Syracuse, N.Y. where he developed the respect and appreciation of many different denominational and civic leaders.
Rev. Teague was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Merton Newbert; and daughter, Pamela who died in infancy.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, S. Eileen; three daughters who were born during their pastorate in Concord, N.H., Linda Jean and husband Merritt Nielson of Olathe, Kan., Barbara Ann and husband David Flack of Sandusky, Ohio, and Joan Louise and husband Brian Kilpatrick of Middle Granville, N.Y.; 10 grandsons; six granddaughters; sister, Louise Newbert of Jefferson; sister-in-law, Jean Barnes and husband Paul of Lisbon, Ohio; five nephews; one niece; three grandnephews; and three grandnieces.
Viewing 4-8 p.m., Fri., March 13 at the Butler-Badman Funeral Home, Inc., Syracuse, N.Y. Pre-service viewing 10 a.m. followed by a service of celebration at 11 a.m., Sat., March 14 at Christ Community Church of the Nazarene, 3644 Warners Rd., Syracuse, N.Y. Spring interment Schuman Cemetery, Waldoboro.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Upstate New York District Church of the Nazarene or Christ Community Church of the Nazarene for a special memorial fund in his honor, 3644 Warners Rd., Syracuse, NY 13209.
Arrangements are entrusted to Butler-Badman Funeral Home, Inc., Syracuse, N.Y.
