Butch Teel

 Funeral services for Raymond L. "Butch" Teel, 77, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Claremore. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 1-8 p.m. at MMS-Payne Funeral Home, with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

Raymond Lowell "Butch" Teel peacefully passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024, in the company of his loved ones, and he is now resting in the embrace of heaven. 

Butch was born on September 25, 1947, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Arlie D. and Cora Lee (Mason) Teel. He was raised in Tulsa where he attended Will Rogers High School. Graduating with the class of 1965. Wanting to continue his education he pursued studies at OSU. After a few years Butch left college to pursue a working career. However, in 1988, he returned to OSU earning a B.S. in Psychology. He then enrolled at the University of Missouri at Kansas City completing his Master’s in Counseling Psychology, with a focus on geriatric counseling.

Throughout his life, Butch held many roles. He initially worked as a manager for the family-owned natural gas utility company before starting his own business, Oklahoma Meter Works, and running a Radio Shack franchise in Claremore. In 1985, he founded Teel Construction, specializing in home construction and remodeling. Following his advanced psychology degree, Butch dedicated his career to mental health, serving in various clinics and eventually retiring as the Clinic Director of Grand Lake Mental Health Clinic in Afton in 2014.

In 1971, Butch married Debi Hunt, and they had one son, Thad. A devoted father, Butch cherished family time, including weekends at the family cabin on Grand Lake, where they enjoyed swimming, waterskiing, and lake activities. His adventurous spirit led him to master barefoot waterskiing and kneeboarding later in life.

Growing up in Tulsa, Butch developed a strong foundation of faith and a love for music, singing bass in his church choir from a young age. Butch had a deep passion for his church, First Baptist Church of Claremore. Which he joined after moving to Tiawah in 1979. There he has been actively involved in the choir and the AV ministry. Alongside his friend Mickey Leuthen, he worked on upgrading the sound system and eventually led the church’s AV ministry in the new worship center.

In 1978, Butch purchased acreage in Tiawah, Oklahoma, where he and his father built a log home for his family. He had a lifelong love for sports cars, collecting models like the Austin Healey, Datsun Z series, and Nissan 350Z over the years.

In 2014 Butch had a life changing experience while at the church. It was then that the 30 year bachelor asked Sarah Larson on a date. After the 3rd time she agreed. They began dating and Butch married the love of his life on April 25, 2015. 

As most know Butch was dedicated to the Tiawah Fire Department. He served the department for 26 years as a firefighter, engineer, and captain prior to his retirement from front line duty, three years ago. He continued to serve as Chaplain until his death. His service, dedication, and commitment to the department will thoroughly be missed. His legacy will live on through his son, Assistant Chief Thad Teel, and his grandsons, Firefighters, Bradley and Micah Teel, as they continue to serve the department and community.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, his brother A.D. Teel Jr., his sister Joan Mays, and grandparents Hiram and Clara Teel, and Lowell and Dora Mason. 

He is survived by his wife, Sarah; his son, Thad and wife Kyndra; stepdaughter, Jennifer Vanover and husband Terry; and stepson; Philip Jacobs and wife Nikki; grandchildren; Maggie Teel, Bradley Teel and wife Jordyn, Micah Teel and Julia Teel; step-grandchildren; Austin Vanover and wife Morgan, Dallas Vanover and Bryson Vanover, Sumer Jacobs, Raylin Jacobs and Emma Jacobs; step-great-grandchildren, Kase, Kayden, Layne; and great-granddaughter Jane Teel coming soon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Claremore First Baptist Church Audio/Visual Fund at 107 E. Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore, Ok 74017.