Jesse Ralph Teal Jr.

LTC (Ret.) Jesse Ralph Teal, Jr. of Harvest, Alabama, passed away on March 10, 2025, at age 86 after a brief illness in his home, surrounded by loved ones.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Teal and his children, Jeffrey Teal of Panama City, Florida, Priscilla Collins of Olympia, Washington, Susan Witham of McDonough, Ga and Jacqlyn Sabrina Teal of Madison, Alabama. He is also survived by grandchildren; Kaitlyn Collins of Seattle, Washington, Cameron Collins of Savannah, Georgia, Evan Witham of Roswell, Ga, LT Logan Witham of Dupont, Washington, and one great grandson, Carter Collins of Savannah, Ga. He is also survived by two bonus daughters, Linette Blackburn of Glen Burnie, MD, Heather Blackburn of Dahlonega, GA, and bonus granddaughter Colleen Newkam, Glen Burnie, MD. He was predeceased by his late wife, L. Patricia Carroll Teal of Madison, Al, and parents Jesse R. Teal, Sr. and Lois Davie Johnson Teal of Panama City, FL.

Born in Bonifay, FL, he began work at age 14 to help support his family and graduated from Jordan High School in Columbus, GA, and later attended Georgia Tech University. He enlisted in the United States Air Force as an aircraft electrician and while stationed at Homestead Air Force Base was selected for the Airman Education and Commissioning Program which allowed him to complete his undergraduate education. The Air Force would also have him complete the Master of Science in Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He would go on to serve as a program manager developing weapons, guidance systems and commanded on Minuteman Missile crews before becoming Operations Officer of a missile squadron. Upon military retirement in 1985, he began work in the private sector as an aerospace engineer in various locations such as Huntsville, AL, Hanford Site, WA, Las Vegas, NV, and Space Park, CA.

When he retired for the third and final time, he turned to travel – inspiring others in the enjoyment of road trips and cruising 47 continental states and Canada. He enjoyed ocean cruises to Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, Asia, Mexico, the Caribbean, Australia, and Africa. When home, he loved gardening and exercising his beloved pets and visiting friends and family. Proud of his military service, his country, and his flag, he will be interred at the Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society, or your local hospice facility.

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