Randy Teague

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Gilbert Randy Teague was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 19th, 1953, in a modest house that his daddy built. His heritage was one of humility, hard work, strength, honor, integrity and grace; characteristics which defined him.

He graduated from Daniel Webster High School, and then Oklahoma Christian University, where he served as President of his social club, Kappa Sigma Tau. 

He met the love of his life, his wife, Karla Kornegay, at Oklahoma Christian. Their first date was on his birthday, and in 1976, Randy and Karla were married in Hurst, Texas. 

Following college, Randy entered dental school at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. His son, Nathan, was born in 1978. Randy and his family of three lived modestly in Wellston, Oklahoma during this time, where they enjoyed the fellowship of close friends. The United States (US) Army paid for dental school, and following graduation, sent him to Stuttgart, Germany for his first job, of many, taking care of Soldiers, Veterans and their Families. His first daughter, Becky, was born in 1980 while in Stuttgart. 

Randy and his family of four then came back to the US for Randy to start school at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. While in medical school, he served as a Deacon at Westside Church of Christ in Norman, Oklahoma. His second daughter, Chelsea, was born towards the end of medical school in 1987. 

Following medical school, he completed a surgical internship at Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) at Ft. Lewis, Washington. His first assignment post-internship was as Battalion Surgeon with 1st Special Forces Group at Ft. Lewis, where he proudly wore the green beret and pursued and acquired unusual skills and capabilities for an Army Physician, such as scuba diver and jump qualification. He also obtained the Expert Field Medical Badge while stationed at Ft. Lewis. 

Over the course of his Army career, he jumped a plethora of times both domestically and internationally, out of both helicopters and airplanes, and would ultimately acquire Jumpmaster status and the Senior Parachutist Badge. His last jump was at the age of 51. His third daughter, Thessali, was born in 1990 during his time working for 1st Special Forces Group. After his Ft. Lewis special forces assignment, he completed residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) at MAMC, and was then stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri where, while working as Chief of the department and in his personal role as an OB/GYN Physician, he facilitated the miracle of birth, bringing precious lives into this world for 7 years. 

At Ft. Leonard Wood, he also took a special interest in the spiritual well-being of basic trainees, providing spiritual manna during a difficult time and introducing countless young soldiers to the beauties of Jesus. Following Ft. Leonard Wood, he worked as Deputy Command Surgeon for the US Military Entrance Processing Command at Great Lakes Naval Center in Chicago, Illinois. He was then sought after to serve as Corp Surgeon with the XVIII Airborne Corps, “America’s Contingency Corps” and headquarters unit of multiple Infantry and Airborne Divisions and other units, out of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. 

He deployed to Iraq with the XVIII Airborne Corps, where he oversaw medical operations for all military members serving under Multi-National Corps – Iraq. Following his time with the XVIII Airborne Corps, he functioned as the US medical liaison officer to the British Royal Military at Sandhurst in Camberley, England, then took a job as Medical Director for the Army Review Board Agency at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C, helping military Families obtain justice. 

After 30 years of honorable and distinguished service to this nation, Randy retired from the US Army in April of 2014. His Army Awards and Badges include: Legion of Merit (x2), Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (x2), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (x2), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal (x2), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (x2), Expert Field Medical Badge, Flight Surgeon Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge and Scuba Diver Badge. He also received authorization to wear the Army Staff Identification Badge, Korean Parachutist Badge and Polish Parachutist Badge.

Following Randy’s Army retirement, he continued serving his country through service to Veterans, while functioning as Chief of Primary Care at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Marion, Illinois, and as Chief of Primary Care and Chief of Staff at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center in South Dakota. Randy served Veterans professionally for 6 years, then retired completely from professional service and moved with Karla to Joplin, Missouri. Gilbert Randy Teague passed from this life on 22 November, 2022 in the loving arms of his family in Joplin.

Randy was a loving and devoted Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend. He was a Man of God, a Physician, a Dentist and a US Army Soldier. He was a leader among his family, friends and colleagues. 

His interests and talents were vast. He was a voracious reader and widely conversant. He collected an extraordinary library of books on a fantastic array of topics. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, guns, gardening and travelling. He was a swimmer, scuba diver and cliff diver. He was a Master Mason and 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was a dreamer. He was the life of every party. He was the very epitome of a Renaissance Man.

Randy had an unusual and untiring dedication to duty. Randy Teague would not let someone down. He would not shirk responsibility. He would complete the Mission. He was a Rock. He was Steady. He was True.
Randy had a passion for taking care of Soldiers, Veterans and their Families. He had a very special place in his heart for babies and he took immense pride and received distinctive joy in aiding mothers and babies through the precious process of birth.

In spite of his accomplishments and talents, heck, he may have even been an astronaut according to six-year-old Becky, Randy was humble and modest. He had a unique sensitivity to the needs of others, unique willingness to neglect himself for the benefit of others, and unique concern for treating people justly. He was to his family the very finest example of selflessness. The legacy he leaves for them and others is special beyond words, and enduring.

He is survived by his wife Karla Teague, son Nathaniel Teague (Stephanie), daughter Rebekah Schenewark (Jason), daughter Chelsea Moore (Paul), daughter Thessali Farr (Adam); Grandchildren Levi Schenewark, Mason Teague, Audrey Schenwewark, Ruby Teague, Bowen Teague, Jentry Schenewark, Van Schenewark, Elliot Schenewark, Henry Moore and Evelyn Farr; sister Cassino Richardson (Garry), brother Larry Teague (Connie) and sister Tanya Willis (Kenny).

Funeral services have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Mount Hope Church of Christ. The family will receive friends during a time of visitation immediately following the service.