Usaf (Ret.) Msgt. Roger Lee Teasley

GARNER – It is with profound sadness that the family of MSgt. Roger Lee Teasley, USAF (Ret.) announce his unexpected passing on August 27, 2020, at the age of 71. Roger was born in Wilkes County, Georgia on February 8, 1949, the son of the late Hoke and Janie Goldman Teasley. Roger decided at a young age he wanted to see the world, and so he did upon enlisting and beginning his career with the United States Air Force. Roger was stationed in Germany, Thailand, Idaho, Florida, and eventually Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. While in Thailand, Roger flew on AC-130 gunships over Cambodia, Laos, and North Korea. He would fondly remember missions flown and share stories with friends and family. Roger was stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, North Carolina when he met his sweetheart, Carolyn Worley. They married on July 28, 1971. After 20+ years of honorable service, Roger retired (with the traditional USAF retirement ceremony) in 1989 to provide the stability needed for his growing family. Roger was a people person at heart. He could make any stranger an instant friend with just a short conversation. It didn’t matter if it was someone in line at the store or a new neighbor who just moved in, Roger was sure to make the introduction and offer a friendly smile. To put it simply, Roger was “the salt of the earth” kind of folk. He was notorious for purchasing groceries for a family in need or going out of his way to lend a helping hand. From helping local school children with their projects, to navigating the VA system on behalf of his fellow servicemen, Roger was always willing to serve. A true American Patriot, Roger loved his country and the freedoms it stood for. He loved to reminisce with his Air Force Buddies about their time in the service and made it a point to take his children to air shows at Seymour Johnson. At the air show, Roger was known to “make his own exhibits,” confidently removing airplane panels to admire the engineering; always reassuring the concerned pilot that “he knew what he was doing.” Roger believed the word “united” meant something in the United States: He always supported his Commander in Chief, regardless of whether he agreed with their politics—a lesson he would be proud to share with you today. Roger was a doting father to his two children, Samantha and Brian. He never missed an opportunity to brag about his kids to anyone willing to listen. No achievement was too small in his eyes, and he lifted his children constantly with praise. Discipline, however, never lacked as Roger was a firm believer in the principle, “Spare the rod, and spoil the child” and his paternal duty to correct and guide his children in the way they should go. Rock tumbling, Boy Scouts, and other various community service activities were just a few ways Roger bonded with his children. A devoted husband as well, Roger fulfilled his marital vows in recent years by caring for his wife struck with Parkinson’s disease. He faithfully cared for Carolyn for the past 15 years and was always by her side. In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Carolyn Worley Teasley, who passed away May 1, 2020. His brother, Tommie Teasley; sister, Joanne Martin; father-in-law, Lafayette Edward “Pete” Worley; sister-in-law, Betty Teasley; and his brother-in-law, Edward Ross “Buddy” Worley also preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter, Samantha Lynn (née Teasley) Kirk of Clayton; son, Brian Lee Teasley and wife, Ashley Marie of Fuquay-Varina; and his three grandchildren, Natalie Kirk, Jack Kirk, and Lindsay Kirk whom he cherished. Survivors also include his brother, Jack Teasley of Andersonville, Georgia; sisters, Sarah Close and husband, Bob of Carlsbad, California, Ellen Schumpert and husband, Roy of McCormick, South Carolina; mother-in-law, Myrtle Wiggs Worley of Goldsboro; sisters-in-law, Clara Williford of Lincolnton, Georgia, Myrtle Ann Worley and husband, Ken Sykes of Greensboro, Janet Faye Green and husband, Jerry of High Point; brother-in-law, Jackie Martin of Hartwell, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family; and his canine companions, JoJo and Tippy. A memorial service will be held in his honor at 3:00 pm on Friday, September 18, 2020, in the Chapel of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, located at 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604. Military Funeral Honors will be rendered by the USAF Honor Guard of Seymour Johnson AFB. Under statewide executive order, those planning to attend are respectfully requested to wear a face mask or covering. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Roger’s memory be made to the US Veterans Corp: 1100 S. Saunders St., Raleigh, NC 27603; the Wounded Warrior Project; or the veterans’ charity of your choice to help those who gave so much to protect our freedom. Arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com