Gene Atkins Teel, lovingly known to all as “Bull,” departed this earth for his heavenly home on Friday, March 25, 2022. Bull passed peacefully, his family by his side, following a lengthy illness.
Bull was born on Nov. 23, 1951, the second son born to J. Willard and Mary Mangus Teel. Along with his older brother, Lee, the Teel family operated a dairy and beef farm in the Riner area. Until his illness, the two brothers, along with his nephew, Randy, continued to run the farm his late parents had established.
Bull was a kind and generous soul, and many affectionately referred to him as a pillar and staple of the Riner Community. The unofficial mayor of Riner, Bull supported his hometown in many ways. A 1970 graduate of Auburn High School where he played basketball and was actively involved with the FFA, Bull was a long-time supporter of his alma mater. He was a member of the Auburn High School football program’s “Chain Gang,” carrying the chain at home football games for many years.
When Auburn had a home basketball game, Bull sat at the scorer’s table where he kept the clock for 50 years. He used to attend agriculture classes at Auburn as a guest lecturer. To acknowledge and recognize their contributions, AHS renamed the gymnasium after Bull and Lee.
Recognizing the need to further serve the Riner Community, Bull and Lee made land along Route 8 available to the county for the purpose of building a new fire department and recreational facilities.
Bull was also an avid supporter of Virginia Tech Athletics, and he attended football and basketball games for decades. He was a member of the UT Prosim Society at Virginia Tech and was an active member of the Radford Church of Christ. He said the most important day of his life was April 2, 1964, the day he was baptized into Christ. He loved his church family, and leaves behind many special friends. He served on numerous civic and service boards throughout his lifetime.
Serving his community was important to him, and he wanted to continue to help his community after his death. His desire was to establish a scholarship supporting AHS students. This scholarship will be called The Teel Family Scholarship. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be sent to the Bull Teel Educational Trust Fund, C/O Lee Teel, 2150 Meadow Creek Road, Christiansburg, VA 24073.
Surviving are his wife, Sue Teel; a brother and sister-in-law, Lee and Roberta Teel; nieces and nephews Leigh Ann Teel, Kim (Joe) Wilson, and Randy Teel; a great-niece and nephew, Debra (Cody) Hopper and Tyler Wilson; an uncle, Don (Cathy) Teel; an aunt, Peggy (Roger) Sheppard; numerous cousins; and many friends and neighbors.
The family would like to thank all Bull’s caregivers.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at Auburn High School in the Teel Gymnasium. A celebration of Bull’s life will begin at 3 p.m. with Mr. John Croft officiating.
Per Bull’s request, no flowers will be accepted.
The Teel family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.