Frederick Mason Teel

Friday, February 10, 2006

Frederick Mason Teel, 68, of Nevada, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died at 5:07 a.m, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006. He passed away surrounded by his family at Prairie View Farm, Rich Hill, after a brief illness.

Fred was born Sept. 19, 1937, in Nevada, to the late Everett and Augusta Teel. On Sept. 19, 1964, he married his loving wife Bonnie Smith, daughter of Cecil and Edoline Smith, who survives of the home. He graduated from Nevada High School in, 1955. He received an undergraduate degree from Pittsburg State University in 1960, and then received his law degree from the University of Missouri -- Columbia in 1964. Fred practiced law for 42 years, first with his father Everett until Everett's death, and then as a solo practitioner on the Nevada Square for the remainder of his career.

Fred was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the Vernon County and Missouri Bar Associations, the Missouri Prairie Foundation, the Optimist's Club, Ducks Unlimited and the Elks Lodge. Fred was an avid golfer for most of his life, and spent his latter years caring for and enjoying the prairie around the family home.

He is survived by two daughters, the eldest Teresa Jane Teel of Denver, Colo., her husband Don McDonald and Fred's granddaughter Grayson Teel McDonald, and the youngest Elizabeth Teel Galante of New Orleans, La., her husband Scott Galante, and Fred's granddaughter Margaret Galante. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Edoline Smith of Nevada and numerous beloved cousins.

Fred was preceded in death by his younger sister Jane Teel Rob.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 11, at 10:30 a.m., at the Vernon County Courthouse, Circuit Courtroom, third floor. The family will have a private burial service at Prairie View farm on a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Missouri Prairie Foundation or the McGennis Youth Center in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington Street, Nevada, MO 64772.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com