Mr. Raymond Eugene Teagarden was born on March 12, 1933 in Brawley, California to the late Howard Ray and Mildred Viola (Springer) Teagarden.
Ray fought a hard, courageous battle but succumbed to cancer on February 10, 2017 after complications of major surgery at the VA Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 83. Cremation was chosen.
Ray’s family moved to Boone, Iowa when Ray was 6 years old and spent 2 years before returning to Los Angeles, California.
Ray was a Veteran and proudly served our Country in the United States Navy from 1950 through 1953 as a Korean War Combat Veteran doing two tours of duty to Korea. He served on 3 Destroyers and was fortunate to sail on two trips around the world while serving in the Navy. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the Disabled American Veterans and was also a member of the American Legion.
After returning to California when he was discharged, he held several odd jobs before finding his niche in the automotive muffler business for 40 years. He built and operated 3 shops, along with other businesses before retiring. Ray was an inventor, mechanical and design engineer and held three patents on portable automotive trailers. He was also a cabinet maker and "jack-of-all-trades". Ray was the author and publisher of the book, The Muffler Shop Manual, a guide to being successful in muffler and small businesses which sold worldwide and he also wrote an autobiography.
Ray was the driving force and co-chairman of the First Annual Jurupa Rodeo in Riverside, California in 1977. He was appointed and served 20 years as a Lay Member on the Riverside County California Bar Association Fee Arbitration Committee. Ray served as a School Board member of the Jurupa Unified School district for 7 years. He served as President of the Jurupa Lions Club. Ray organized and was President of Crime Watch in Riverside for 20 years. He was the driving force in organizing Gold Nugget Prospectors Club and served as President for 7 years which was a 500-member organization teaching children and adults how to prospect for gold and designed and built gold prospecting equipment. He was the driving force behind getting the Jurupa Unified School District a new Board of Education Center and a new football stadium for the students at the Jurupa Valley High School. Ray received many awards and accolades for his service and involvement in community projects.
Ray had a jovial sense of humor, witty and loved to make people laugh. He had such a loving and big heart and he would light up any room he entered. Ray loved all animals and had four special kitties, Bear, Buttons, Blue, and Kitty Boots (KB). He supported the Cookeville/ Putnam County Animal Shelter.
Ray met his wife of 46 1/2 years, Carolyn Tinch (formerly of Allardt, Tennessee) in Riverside and they were married in San Diego, California in 1970. In 2004, they retired to Cookeville. They both loved to fish and spent many days on the lakes. Ray also loved woodworking in his shop and always had several projects going at one time. Ray also loved to read and work on his computer.
Ray is survived by his wife, Carolyn Teagarden; Son, Ted Teagarden and wife Julie of Highland, California; Brother, Ron and wife Mary Teagarden of Cave Creek, Arizona; Sister, Lorraine and husband, Paul Hamrick of Riverside, California; Sister-in-law, Norma Teagarden of Riverside, California; 5 Grandchildren, 12 Great-Grandchildren, Special Sister-in-Law, Mary Wehrman and husband Victor of Jamestown, Tennessee; a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends, and two special Veteran Brothers, Ken Gamble and Mack Smart, who he referred to as his Guardian Angels.
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his daughter, Terry Teagarden Van Hill; Brother, Roger Teagarden; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Proctor and Bessie Tinch, Niece, Pamela Crockett; Nephew, Patrick Crockett; and Nephew, David Hamrick.
Memorial donations in Ray's honor can be made to Friends of Cookeville/ Putnam County Animals, C/O Linda Westin, 1000 Sunny Point Road, Baxter, Tennessee, 38544.
In loving memory of Ray, a Celebration of his life and Memorial Party, which he had requested, will be held at the Teagarden Residence, Saturday, October 7, 2017 with Full Military Honors starting at 1:00 pm. Dress is casual.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond "Ray" Eugene Teagarden, please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
