Early Thursday, June 23, we received news that Tommy had unexpectedly passed from this life to eternity, on his 58th birthday while in Israel leading a group from our church on a tour of the Holy Land.
As our pastor and friend for the last 13 years, we shared in many life-changing events. Two of the three Teague children were the same age as our boys. Our Ryan and their Jonathan were both born Aug 13, 1980; while their Julie and our Aaron were best buds from 8th grade on --going off to college together and remaining close to this day.
We have vivid memories of Tommy and Rita being with us at Harris Hospital Trauma ICU as we awaited word on Aaron's condition following his tragic accident; then returning at midnight after getting the youth off to camp earlier that evening, in order to spend some time alone with us, praying over us and seeing to our needs. Their encouragement and support throughout Aaron's lengthy recovery was invaluable.
Tommy was an incredible mentor/spiritual adviser for Aaron throughout his high school and college years and especially over the last few years as life handed him some pretty hard blows. Aaron never doubted that Tommy loved him unconditionally and was only a phone call away.
Though Ryan was already headed off to college when Tommy came as our pastor; Tommy became a rock to him as well. Throughout the last few years in particular, they formed a bond as Tommy made himself available to help Ryan navigate the seas of change taking place in his life. He also provided support in joyous times by being Ryan and Stacee's premarital counselor and officiant at their wedding.
Tommy was at my side when doctor's called me in to that dreaded family conference room to inform me that, despite all their efforts, my sweet husband would not survive the trauma his body had endured over the last month. I remember many hospital visits from Tommy and Rita as they remained close at hand praying fervently that God would preserve Ron's life as, over many months, battle was waged! From that time to the present, they have been a constant source of encouragement and strength as we have learned to live in a new normal.
We had the honor of working on staff with Tommy at Children's Camp for many years and he and Rita even entrusted us with the furtherance of each of their daughters' spiritual growth as we served them in various areas of the the youth department, as well as tried to help flesh out faith together through Senior Bible Study.
Tommy loved His Lord and was passionate about sharing this love. He counted it a great joy to take groups to Israel to walk the roads Jesus had walked and I think it is so appropriate that he went to sleep after a day spent traveling these same paths and woke up in Heaven to walk the streets of Glory with Him.
We count it a great honor to have done life together...to have known and loved and to have been known and loved by this precious man! Thank you, Tommy, for your steadfast, faithful legacy of love, compassion, integrity, humility, and your unfailing passion for those things the Father is passionate about. We are but one of many who recount stories of your faithfulness to the people God entrusted to your care.
Please pray for Tommy's family: wife, Rita; daughters Julie and Joy; son, Jonathan, and wife Michelle; along with his three precious granddaughters.
We also ask you to pray for his extended family, friends and our church family. This has come as a tremendous shock to so many people. And, as you can imagine, the fact that his death took place in a foreign country has greatly complicated things causing the family to have to wade through alot of red tape in making of arrangements; compounding their grief. They are hoping his body will be home in the States on Monday allowing the funeral to take place on Thursday.
We love you, Tommy; you are already greatly missed!
