Gary Len Teague, of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2024, after enduring a seven year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Len naturally made every single person he encountered feel at ease and like they had a place to belong. His smile, words, and counsel were genuine, kind, and wise. Just by living ordinary days, the love of Jesus flowed through Len and left an indelible impact–both on his beloved family and the many thousands of people he encountered in a lifetime working in youth ministry.
Born in Knoxville, Len was the eldest of three siblings. He attended the University of Tennessee and later earned a Masters of Theology from Fuller Seminary. His calling to ministry led him to first serve on Young Life staff in Knoxville, where he met his wife of 47 years, Shannon. In 1978 Len established Young Life in Chattanooga, and dedicated 10 years to leading the ministry before becoming Chaplain at Baylor School, Chattanooga. As his family grew, Len accepted the position of Director of Youth at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church (LMPC) in 1989 and was subsequently ordained as associate pastor. There he established a robust youth program and served the remainder of his career until 2019. Len served as the instructor of Youth Ministries at Covenant College for more than 25 years, leaving a lasting impact reflected in the Len and Shannon Teague Youth Ministry Scholarship established in their honor in 2016. As one of his former students recently commented, the spiritual ripple effect Len had was enormous as he taught all he’d learned, pointed people to Jesus, and helped them grow in their faith.
Len deeply loved his wife, Shannon, and together they built a beautiful life and had three children. He was a dad who loved to laugh, play games, and never missed an opportunity to cheer on his kids–but mostly, it was clear through his actions that he delighted in them. He faithfully prayed for his children–profound evidence of this found in his Bible and the prayer cards he kept. Every ounce of this would be true too for his grandchildren, who called him “Bapa.”
The following verse, found marked in his Bible, sums up with accuracy the banner under which Len lived: “Even when I’m old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come” (Ps. 71:18). Beside the line, “the next generation,” he had handwritten “my heart.” The expansive legacy of Len’s love will certainly remain an ebenezer to the next generation, pointing his family and many others to hope in Jesus.
Len was preceded in death by his parents, Norma and Daniel Teague.
He is survived by his wife, Shannon Simpson Teague; children (and grandchildren), Jesse and Jamie Teague (Bailey, Harper, Larkin, Graham, Hudson), Marshall and Katherine Teague (AnnCarter, Haddie, Camp), Kathleen and Zach Robbins (Bella, Shepherd, Liza); sister Cathy (Wayne) Brown, brother Tim (Ginger) Teague, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A celebration of life service will be held at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 27, at 12 p.m. The family will receive guests in LMPC’s fellowship hall prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to further the work to which Len devoted his life: Windy Gap Young Life Camp or the The Len Teague Mark 6:31 Fund-to enable youth from Lookout Mountain Presbyterian and Rock Creek Fellowship to come away and encounter Jesus Christ at youth retreats and special events.
Gifts to Windy Gap Young Life can be made via check to Young Life with “Len Teague” in the memo and mailed to Windy Gap Camp, 120 Coles Cove Road, Weaverville, NC 28787. Gifts to the Len Teague Mark 6:31 Fund can be made via check to LMPC, 316 N Bragg Ave, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350 or online at lmpc.org/give. Indicate “The Len Teague Mark 6:31 Fund”.
The family would like to thank the many friends and family who have been our support and comfort. Thanks also to Jeanie Christian with Aging Care Management, Laura Groothuis and Jen Schaefer with Horizon Advisors, and Danielle Pantages with Phileo Home Care. Much gratitude to the compassionate staff, caregivers, and nurses at Morning Pointe Happy Valley and to Ashley Gorrell with Tapestry Hospice. You have been the hands and feet of Jesus to us.