Arthur W. Teague, 94, passed away on Sept. 18, 2026, in Albany, Oregon. He was a veteran, avid golfer, and poker player with a passion for sports, the stock market, and the beach. Art had the gift of making everyone feel welcome and valued. Those who knew him best remember his quick wit, which was in contrast to his old-school, gentlemanly manner.

He was born in Athena, Oregon, on Aug. 16, 1932, to Wm. Fred Teague and Hazel Violet Williams. In typical Eastern Oregon living, he learned about horses and rodeo from his brother Marvin and worked the pea and wheat harvests every summer. Art graduated from the Athena High School in 1950, lettering in basketball and baseball. He attended the University of Oregon until 1952 when he was called into service during the Korean War.

Art entered the Army at Camp Roberts, CA, as an infantry mortarman, and upon arrival in South Korea, he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division on the front lines near the Kumhwa valley. After several months of combat, Sergeant Art was asked to join the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in Japan. Two days after his arrival in Japan, he and the 187th deployed back to Korea near the Kumhwa valley from where he had just departed. The 187th remained there in combat the entire time that Art was with them. Finally, the word came that the 187th was going back to Japan, but because Art had never attended airborne school, he was not allowed to return to Japan with them. Art was sent back to the 2nd Infantry Division at almost the exact same location in the Kumhwa where he had started and soon thereafter was honorably discharged from the military. Art received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Army Commendation Medal for his actions in combat.

Upon returning home, he met the love of his life, Marjorie Garrett; they were engaged on Nov. 5, 1955, and married on April 28, 1956, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pendleton. Two children, Edmond and Laura, quickly followed, and the family was complete.

Art and Marge were very active in community events and politics, often hosting dinner parties and fundraisers for various causes, candidates, and charities.

In 1963, Art started his 55-year career with State Farm Insurance. Beginning in Pendleton as a claims adjuster, he was promoted to the regional office at Salem in 1969, then to Portland in 1976, and eventually became the SW Regional Director in 1979 with offices in Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. When he retired from that position in 1997, State Farm rehired him as an expert trial witness and lobbyist.

In 2018, at age 86, he and Marge moved back to Oregon to be closer to their family, and he officially retired.

Marge passed away in 2020 after 63 years of marriage.

Art is survived by his son Edmond (Anne); daughter Laura (David); granddaughters Brandy, Sarah (Albert), and Nichole; great-grandchildren Alexandra, Isabel (Tyler), and Jonathan; great-great-grandchildren Alina and Roman; sister-in-law Barbara Skorney; companion Auda Ables; and many wonderful friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marge, his brother Marvin, and his sister Margaret.

A military honors funeral will be held at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mount Scott Blvd, Happy Valley, OR on Tuesday, Nov. 10th, at 1:00 p.m.