Theron C. ?Ted? Teagle
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Born on March 19, 1928, to Theron C. and Evelyn Harris Teagle in Dooly County, Georgia, Ted Teagle died on March 28, 2022, during a brief hospital stay.
He attended Rock Hill High School, but at age 15 sailed to Africa in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served in combat aboard Destroyers, participated in the U-Boat wars of the North Atlantic, then went to the Pacific where he participated in the invasion of the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
A member of the 1946 inaugural class of the University of North Carolina - Charlotte, Ted was a sports enthusiast who played football and basketball in high school and football in college. He was also a boxer who competed in amateur matches with the Golden Gloves and the Charleston Navy Boxing team, as well as a few professional bouts. As an adult he was a rabid golfer.
In his retirement, Ted was owner of Spring Valley Hardware for 20 years, managed by his son, Ted. Prior to that, he spent 35 years in executive positions for supermarket chains, including Harris-Teeter, founded by his maternal family; Colonial Stores; Associated Grocers; Kroger; and Pueblo Supermarkets in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
He was a man of great faith and a longtime member of Northeast Presbyterian Church in Columbia, where he served on missions to Nicaragua, as well as a deacon, elder, general assembly commissioner and Sunday School president.
Ted served his community as a volunteer with many organizations including the Civitans, Lions Club, Boy Scouts, St. Jude, God's Storehouse and the Wal-Mart College Scholarship Board. With his wife, Jo, he opened the first Central Midlands Habitat for Humanity thrift store.
Ted was predeceased by his wife of more than 62 years, Mary Josephine Franklin of Charlotte, N.C.; his parents; and sister, Jeanette Merritt. His is survived by four children and their spouses: Marimac (Jim) Montgomery, Barron (Donia) Teagle, Suzanne Van Atten and Ted Teagle. Survivors also include nine grandchildren: Robin (Matt), Keith (Sarah) and Matthew (Nicolette) Saxon; Derrick and Drew (Gloria) Van Atten; Franklin (Eleeza) Teagle; Caroline (Travis) Johnson; Traci and T.J. Teagle; plus six great-grandchildren: Nova Senkyrik; Ilona, Eloise and Chloe Saxon; and Milo and Roman Teagle. He is also survived by step-grandchildren Joseph, Robert (Nicole), Michael and Jamie (Luis) Montgomery, and their children. Also among his survivors is his friend Polly Judd, whose companionship he treasured at Wildwood Downs retirement community.
Ted was a loving father, devoted husband and world traveler. He had a sharp sense of humor and was a huge Tarheels fan who loved all things North Carolina. He would take great pride in knowing that he held onto his driver's license until the very end. He will be deeply missed by those he leaves behind.
Funeral services are Friday, April 8 at Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Road, Columbia, S.C. Visitation is 1 p.m.; service is 2 p.m. A private internment for family will follow. Dunbar Funeral Home, Northeast Chapel, is handling arrangements. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.