Roy Dean Teague

Roy Dean Teague passed away peacefully at the age of 98 on July 29, 2025. He was born in Upton, Wyoming, March 31, 1927. His father was Osbourn Dean Teague, a WWI veteran, and his mother was Wilma (Lawrence) Teague. He grew up on a small dairy farm in Sheridan, Wyoming. He quit high school to join the Navy and served at the end of WWII from 1945-47. Years later the government had a special ceremony to award Roy with his High School diploma.

After an honorable discharge he and his wife, Grace (Mull) Teague settled near Tumwater, Washington. After working 3 years driving truck for Pacific Highway Transport (PHT), they had saved enough money to buy 5 acres near Black Lake. A Christian man, who owned Copland Lumber Company, trusted Roy buy lumber on credit so he could build a house with logs cut from the property. His Uncle Jimmy Teague, who lived in a log house on East Bay Dr. in Olympia, helped him with the project.

They had two children, Dennis and Janice. Roy has eight grandchildren, many great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. In 1958 they received the Certificate of Approval for foster parenting and cared for several children.

As the Scout Master of troop 333, Roy received the Well Done Award 1960-61. Years later, he received the highest award in Boy Scouts, the Silver Beaver Award, for his many years of service. He taught hundreds of boys basic life skills, morals, and community service.

Roy loved his coffee. He would boil a 30-cup pot over the fire during camp outs to make sure the scout leaders had plenty of coffee. He said his coffee was too thick to spoon but too thick to plow. On his last day alive, he said, “Where’s my coffee?”

Roy and Grace were long-time members of the Olympia Mountaineer Club. Roy received the Mountaineer Service Award in 1992. For years the mountaineer phone number was forwarded to the Teague house where people would call for information about hikes and climbs. Roy retired after 30 yrs. of driving for Santry Trucking Company, and he served as an Olympic National Park Ranger at the Hoh River and Enchanted Valley stations.

Roy was a member of the Olympia Elks Club where he served as a part-time bar tender. Roy and Grace often danced at the club on Friday nights. He received the Elk of the Year Award 1996-97.

Roy and Grace also received awards for their volunteer work with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department.

Roy loved to carve with the Capitol Woodcarvers Association on Tuesdays in Lacey and Thursdays in Shelton. He carved faces in canes, small figures of cowboys, animals, or anything that struck his fancy from his wood Carver magazines.

Roy Teague was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Grace (Mull), and his four younger siblings, Mary Janice (Masterson), Samuel Teague, Thomas Teague, and David Teague.